These pics were taken along wekiwa road. All of this is visible from the road. No, it's not tornado debris. This was days ago. I love seeing our community pulling together to clean up the storm damage and help each other out. But don't let that passion for our community wear out when the tornado damage is gone. Make SanditeStrong a lifestyle, not a fad. There will always be people who are content to pollute our home without a care. But the rest of us can step up and clean up their mess. There are so many places around town that could use our help when the current destruction is cleaned up. Let's take this opportunity to STAY united and transform our hometown into something wonderful!
When every lyric is a memory and every song strikes a chord.
When every road you walk down takes you where you've been before. When every glance at the stars reminds you of the ones Heaven has taken. When every mirror shows your flaws and every insight, your mistakes. You fight sleep as long as you can because you know your thoughts await you. You run from your family because you can't bare to face them. You run from your friends because quite frankly you can't stand them. You run from your God because your heart can't stand before Him. You give it all and it's never enough. You give a little and it's always too much. You're overbearing, overconfident, overly self-righteous. Everyone around you says it's alright, just relax your mind and open your heart. Let life consume you, its patterns are art. A life with no problems can have no solutions. A world with no heartache can have no true beauty. My heart is my own, I'll give it to no other, for when it comes to my lusts, the moment is my lover. "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell."--Mark 9:47
Guess what people? The eye here? It represents more than just your physical body parts. If watching bad movies influences you to cuss then pluck bad movies out of your life! If sports cause you to get angry, then pluck sports out of your life! If poor drivers cutting you off in traffic causes you to curse at them or insult them, then stop driving and take the bus! If your friends or people in your life influence you to drink, smoke, sleep around, do drugs, skip church, et Cetera, then pluck those friends out of your life! Sin is separation from God, for God is perfect and cannot dwell where there is sin. There is NOTHING in life that is worth separation from God, NOTHING. Remove whatever it takes, sacrifice whatever it takes, do whatever it takes, and God will reward you beyond anything you can possibly imagine! For everyone who says a vote for Gary Johnson is a vote for Obama, you're wrong. Want to know why? Because I wouldn't dare vote for Obama or Romney because I don't believe either of them is willing to do what it takes to get this country back on track. I think they're both bad choices and Gary Johnson is the only one that makes sense. Gary Johnson will not be appearing on the Oklahoma 2012 ballot. He will however be on the ballot in 48 other states as well as the District of Columbia. And since Gary Johnson isn't able to get my vote, guess who is? Nobody. I won't vote for "evil," even it is the lesser of two.
"The lesser of two evils" concept repulses me. A vote for Gary Johnson isn't a vote for Obama because most true Johnson supporters wouldn't vote for anyone BUT Johnson. Don't expect this country to improve until you're ready to either let a third party rise up, or choose a candidate who's willing to embrace true bipartisan ideals rather than adhering to a far left or far right-wing agenda. A politician represents everyone, not just the people who voted for him. "Before I was elected I thought of myself as an unwavering conservative. My way or the highway. This is a very easy mindset to have when you're at home in the recliner watching Fox News Channel. Once I was elected, I quickly realized my votes were not just for what is best for my wife and sons, or even the 51 percent of people who voted for me. My decisions needed to reflect the best interests of the 40,000 people in my district, including the people who voted against me." --John Kriesel It's not about doing things your way whether the rest of the country wants it that way or not, it's about doing things the way the country wants whether it's what you want or not. Politicians are supposed to represent us, not dictate our lives. Leaders are meant to rally us together, not further divide us. President Lincoln once said "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free." At the time he was referring to the enslavement of the African peoples in America, an issue which divided America in half. Today America is divided once again. Not by any single issue, but by a failure to cooperate. We have many issues--moral, economic, and concerning foreign and domestic policy--which are causing us Americans to permanently be on the offensive against each other. We cannot live this way. At any given time, half of our country is enslaved. Not physically enslaved, thank God, but politically enslaved. You don't think about it that way when it's your party in control, do you? People rejoice when bills pass that line up with their opinions and beliefs perfectly, but don't think about the fact that there's another huge chunk of America who wanted the exact opposite of what you wanted. Another half of America that is being deprived of the way they want their country ran. Another half of America that is enslaved to the ideals of other people. I don't believe the American people should be enslaved in any way shape or form, especially not to my ideals. Until we're ready to compromise, seek a middle ground that is always available, and try to make both sides happy, our country will not succeed. We will struggle along in the same rut we've been in for the last twenty years. Politicians used to understand the importance of bipartisanship and cooperation. They used to understand the importance of a UNITED states of America and not a DIVIDED states of America. A united people, not a united party. Obama is not willing to work with Republicans in Congress. He claims a lack of bipartisanship on their part, but simply because they wont accept what he wants. He seems to think that a failure of Republicans to approve things they adamantly disagree with makes them uncooperative. And rather than working with them and reforming his policies and plans to satisfy both parties, he continually blames them for his lack of progress. What on Earth will four more years accomplish? Why should we give him another term when over half of America is unsatisfied with what he's done with his first? The Alternative? A man who couldn't make it any more blatantly obvious that he won't cooperate with anyone! Mitt Romney has repeatedly shown that his beliefs (as flaky and flip-flopping as they are) will not be sacrificed to please anyone else. This election has become a battle of Republicans vs. Democrats for control, when it should ALWAYS be a battle of One-Party-Control vs. True Liberty and Democracy. I will not vote for any man who would sacrifice my rights in order to please his own beliefs. I know Gary Johnson won't win. But I pray his voice in this election will prove a strong influence on Romney and Obama both and encourage them to consider new ideas, and to at least be willing to accept others' ideas even if they don't agree with them. I will not be voting for either Mitt Romney or Barack Obama this election because I do not feel they are willing to make the appropriate sacrifices to lead our country through this transitional period, but I hope to God that they prove me wrong. I hope to God that when the next term rolls around we will not have a voice for a party, but a voice for America. I hope that no matter what happens we will still have hope. When it comes down to it, my vote was never for Gary Johnson. My vote was will continue to be for change, progress, and God's plan for America. My vote is for you and me and everyone who calls this land home. My vote is for hope. I've had several people ask me lately, so for those wondering, this is where I'm at:
I've asked God what His plans are for me, and He hasn't yet told me specifically. He told me to take things one step at a time and for now go to the University of Oklahoma and get my Gen. Eds out of the way and that He'd let me know more when I was ready, just like Christ told the disciples in John 16:12. This was given to me back in May and I feel like He doesn't want to give me too much information before I'm ready for it. He doesn't want me getting in over my head when I'm not yet strong enough in Him. I have a lot of room to grow; this is something I'm transparent about. The reason I chose a Social Studies Education Major is because I thoroughly enjoy History, it's something that I've always been interested in, and in the words of David Boren, "Those who have been given opportunities to observe have an obligation to share with others what they have learned." I've always respected teachers as some of the most crucial players in human development. They encourage, uplift, train, instruct, and act as parental figures to a lot of youth and that's something that I could definitely see myself doing. Social Studies encompasses multiple subjects such as Geography, Government, History, Social Sciences, etc. This will allow me to teach multiple subjects if at first I fail to find a History position in the towns I'm interested in. I expect to declare a History Minor soon as well. That's what I have decided to do. Whether that's what God has decided for me to do or not, I don't know. His plan comes first, and I'm more than willing to alter my plan to fit His, but so long as I'm at University I want to have a specialized plan of study until such a point that God gives me His own. Back in April I received a calling "..to minister through media, writing, and education." God established in me a desire to be a writer since an early age and I've been writing short stories and such since I was a child. In the last few years this passion has expanded beyond the realm of fiction and I have learned the power a person has through expressing their opinions and passions by the written word. "The pen is mightier than the sword," and I've learned that by being vocal with my thoughts, I can greatly influence others. Some might use this for personal gain, but I know my gift comes from God and I trust in Him to guide my hand and only let me give voice to things that line up with His Word. In addition to writing, the last three years has seen my interest in photography skyrocket. While I am not as gifted as some, I do know there is a talent there and I fully plan on developing it to its fullest potential. I know that I can use this to bring glory to God by documenting different ministries and missions. Many people fail to see the importance in giving towards missions and missionaries because they are never given a chance to see the impact being made around the world. I want to use my gift as a photographer to bring these things to light so that the more fortunate can see how important it is for them to sew their seed faithful and wisely. Also I know the Lord provides for those who are faithful to Him, and I know that teachers don't make much money. If God has in fact called me to be a teacher, then it would explain why He gave me this other gift on the side. If I'm going to provide for my family to the extent that they deserve, then doing photography on the side will be a great opportunity to close the financial gap between what my career provides and what my family deserves. Now I'm sure some of you are wondering why I'm questioning if I should be a teacher, when His calling specifically mentioned education. There are more ways than one to teach. I guess when I say I don't know if I'll be a teacher, I should specify Public Educator or School-Teacher. I'm absolutely going to be a teacher, I'm just not sure which kind. Over my life I've had multiple people prophecy over me that I would end up in the ministry, specifically a Senior Pastor at a church. I do feel a drawing in that direction, but I have not heard God's Word to confirm it. While those who prophesied over me were very trusted individuals in my life, I don't want to plan my future off of what someone said who may have been mistaken. Until I hear it from God Himself, I'm not going to put all my hope in it, because that wouldn't show wisdom. The last thing I want to do is end up in the ministry when it's not God's place for me. Then I wouldn't be living up to my potential, and I wouldn't be qualified as a preacher or pastor. So when God says education, He could mean Preacher/Pastor, Missionary, School Teacher, or just an example for people to look up to! Education might not even be a career, but rather, an example of a good Christian man for people to go to when they need help. Nothing is certain in my life yet, except that God has the reins and He'll lead me where I need to go. If He feels like I don't need to know everything yet, then who am I to question it? All will be revealed in good time! So that's where I'm at now, and that's the real Scott Emigh. Your prayers are appreciated and your support is much desired. I love you all, and thank you for taking the time to read this! God Bless you and keep you. PS: Comments are much appreciated, as well! There are very few things I agree with Mitt Romney or Obama about. But there's one thing the three of us will always agree on, and that is that America is a great nation with good people in it. When it comes down to it, neither Republicans nor Democrats are wrong. They just have two different ways of looking at the same thing. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and I think both the conservative and liberal ways work, depending on who is enacting them.
We've had a pretty even split between Democratic and Republican Presidents over the last 236 years, and you know what? We're still here. Neither one of them has screwed us over yet, and so I am grateful to both parties. I think Bush made mistakes, but the sheer fact that he managed to lead our nation for eight years without going completely crazy means that he must have been doing something right. I think Obama has made mistakes too, but you know what? We're still here. Whether they did everything right or not, they had the right intentions. I'm no cynic or conspiracy theorist. I believe that if someone puts as much time and devotion into America as those two have, then they must truly care for her people. So I respect them for that, I'm grateful to them for that, and if I ever get the chance to meet either of them, I will shake their hand firmly and thank them for the service they've done for us. We put our politicians on a pedestal and view them as a bit "larger than life," but when it comes down to it, they're just people. From the lower level people like Jadine Nollan, to the very top at the White House, they all are doing what they can to make life better for us, and I honor all of them equally. And despite my distaste for Mitt Romney's policies, if he's elected then I will immediately refrain from all negative postings about him. I will begin instead to pray for him and give him the respect he will deserve as the leader of my nation. This is a policy I hope to hold onto until the day I die, that speaking negatively over something I can't control will accomplish nothing. It is so much better to pray that our leader does everything right and has God's guidance, regardless of if they wear red or blue. There's a reason I'm so politically vocal during election year, and not the rest of the time. Because during election year we still can change things. But after that, we're stuck with the president we have for four more years. I would rather appreciate him for his goals, than condemn him for how he tries to reach them. According to a 2007 survey, 78.4% of adults identified themselves as Christian, down from 86.4% in 1990. The survey also reported that 16.1% of Americans described themselves as agnostic, atheist, or simply having no religion, up from 8.2% in 1990. That's 8% of Americans who have ceased to believe in God and Christ over 17 years.
Where is the Evangelism? Our God is a good God and I know this decrease in Christianity is through no fault of His, so where does the problem lie? Half of it lies with the world and demonic influence, but I believe half lies in the fact that we as Christians aren't doing our job to be a light unto the world. We need to be there for our brothers and sisters constantly building them up and encouraging them in Christ. We need to make sure that Christians and non-Christians alike know that we are there to help them whenever we can and that we have their best interests at heart. We should be seeing the percentage of Christians increase, not decrease. We need to be seeing the numbers of other religions, and non-religious types dwindle, diminish, and ultimately be snuffed out! Let me clarify one thing. I am a Christian above all else. My school, my relationship, my friends, my future career, and everything else come second to my relationship with God Almighty. As a Christian I am called to the ministry to some degree. (2 Corinthians 5:18). Christ is my best friend and as such, I will talk about Him ALL the time. I will talk about Him in person, I will post about Him on Facebook, and I will not avoid talking about Him just because you don't believe in Him.
If the existence of my bestfriend offends you, then that's unfortunate, but I'm not going to refrain from speaking about the most important man in my life. That being said, being friends with me on Facebook is the same as being friends with a pastor or minister on Facebook. You wouldn't add them just to comment on all their religious posts would you? That's disrespectful and non-productive! So don't do it to me please :) The first few times I'll probably tolerate it and delete it; but if it becomes a habit, you will be unfriended with only mild remorse that I can no longer expose you to positive postings. God Bless! "If you can keep your love in God passionate and hold onto that faith, then anger and hate will stay in the shadows."--Jon Townsend, one of four U.S. soldiers killed in an insider attack in Afghanistan this weekend.
During this "Arab Spring" it's very easy to find yourself angry, hurt, and confused by the Islamic nations who many feel we've done a lot to help in the last decade. However, it's important to remember that the actions of terrorists and extremists do not reflect the attitudes of the overall Muslim population. We are ALL God's children and as Christians it is our duty to love and honor the Muslim people just like anyone else--as Christ commanded us to do. Pray for peace and understanding for all those affected by this situation: that the families of victims will not turn to hatred, and that the Muslims who have been offended will understand that the stupid film which insulted Muhhammad was made by ONE MAN and does not reflect insensitivity in the entire American people. (1 John 4:7, Philippians 4:7) Best Actor in a Leading Role: Jeremy Renner in The Hurt Locker
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Jackie Earle Haley in The Watchmen Best Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Beckinsale in Whiteout Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Rose Byrne in Knowing Best Animated Feature: Coraline Best Director: Zakk Snyder for The Watchmen Best Film Editing: James Cameron for Avatar Best Original Score: James Horner for Avatar Best Original Song: I See You by Leona Lewis for Avatar Best Picture: Avatar Best Visual Effects: Avatar Best Writing—Adapted Screenplay: The Lovely Bones Best Writing—Original Screenplay: Avatar Best Cast Ensemble: The Hurt Locker Best Comedy Film: Zombieland Career Achievement: James Cameron Best Costume Design: Anna B. Sheppard for Inglourious Basterds Best Horror Film: Vacancy 2: The Final Cut Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: The Cast of Southland Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: Andre Braugher in Men Of A Certain Age Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Patricia Arquette in Medium Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: The Cast of Parks and Recreation Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Amy Poehler in Parks and Recreation Best Novel: Warriors: Power of Three: Sunrise by Erin Hunter Best Album: Green Day: 21st Century Breakdown |
S. J. Emigh
"Make SanditeStrong a lifestyle, |