A Plea on Behalf of Those Silent

Hello everyone. I will have the second part of that series sometime tomorrow hopefully. However I have something else I feel like talking about more right now. I went with my friends Thomas and Jessica and her amazing family to see To Save a Life. I'll tell you now, If you haven't seen it, then you need to, it's something that happens every day in many high schoolers lives.

It brought up some good points that I feel are necessary to repeat. We all skip over the little guy, the geeks, the oddballs, the misunderstood. It doesn't matter who we are. Saved or unsaved, friendly or not. We all miss them. We see them and we think at the very most, ugh, I'll go talk to them, so that way I'm being nice. We do it out of obligation or out of image. We want to look a certain way or it's something that we don't want to deal with a guilt trip over. To some degree it affects us all.

Maybe for some of you, you are like that at the worst, but maybe some of you are worse. How many of you have at some point made fun of someone for being different? For wearing something different, looking strange, having different interests?

I won't lie. I have. Sometimes I'm the one guilty of saying it, other times, I've laughed and joined in following friends lead. I even left a school system because of it. I realized what I was becoming and I left. I got rid of doing the wrong thing. I missed the part of doing the right thing though. I refused to stand up for the guy that was being made fun of and discouraged. I kept my head down wanting to stay out of the light. When I did help someone, I did as "charity". I was hoping to look noble from it. I'm sure all you have at least one similar story to that. It's something I myself have to work on. You see as a Christian I skimmed over some really important principles.

If there something that needs to be made clear. It's this righteousness isn't avoiding the wrong thing. It's DOING the right thing. PERIOD. I'm sorry, but we need to get rid of our pharisees' mind set and get off our butts and really be righteous.

James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Do what God commands. Not just avoiding what He says don't do.

He makes a truth we can't deny in Matthew 25:34-40.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Does that sum it up? That guy you feel "obligated" to talk to? That girl you laugh at for her looks? The kid who wants nothing more than to be liked? You might as well consider yourself talking to Christ. Would you feel obligated to talk to Him? Rather I would fear that I would be taking up HIS time. They say Christ looked unbearable to look at on the cross, yet you say you wouldn't dare laugh at him. Though you laugh at that girl? You want and beg for God's mercy and attention and he gives it openly, lovingly, and freely. Why wouldn't you do the same for another? Who are we sinners to pick and choose? Who are we to judge? We are people who have been adopted in our utter filth by the Holy of Holies, how dare us accuse anyone else of being lesser than ourselves. Do you do it because you are afraid of being persecuted like that person? Are you afraid of being alone? Well for being alone, I'll tell you, I'd bet anything that the person you stick up for clings to you harder than you could ever imagine. For persecution, look to God's word:

Matthew 5:10: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I don't even need to explain that one.

I'm going to share with you a little story of mine, that happened not too long ago.

My dad got remarried last May, it terrified me. Last time I had a mom in the house, my life was horrible. I had been an only child for 17 years and suddenly I'm told to be a brother. I had no clue how to handle it. My dad was stressed out trying to make sure it all worked out that he never realized the toll it was taking on me. I was freaking out because I wasn't sure how to be a good brother to these two siblings and my dad kept telling me be a big brother Luke! He didn't realize it was tearing me apart like this. My dad also isn't an emotional man, he's very stoic and so we had issues of just being understood.

Then I did somethings with my girlfriend that I'm not proud of...and before long, her parent's found out. Within a week, it seemed like everyone I cared about had shunned me. It seemed like the church had shunned me, her parents (who I was desperately seeking their love) shunned me, and a few friends did too. I knew I had done wrong and I felt ashamed before God over it, then when the church wasn't talking to me, I felt as though I wasn't good enough anymore to be a Christian. I thought if the children reject me, then what hope do I have with the Father? Her parents who didn't know it, but I was putting all my hopes in receiving love from them, refused to speak to me, I went from being the cool kid, who was well liked, had his act together and was someone you would take home to meet the parents, to a broken insecure wreck who couldn't find hope, and remember I was saved. I always thought I was a good person until that day came and then suddenly I thought maybe I had it wrong, maybe I was a really bad person, I questioned if Paul was good the moment of conversion or if he had to earn it etc.

With myself being too ashamed to go to God about it, and with no one to turn to, I tried to kill myself by swallowing a bottle of hydrocodone. I was scared though and wasn't willing to take them all at once. I planned to take a few, then a bit later take some more, and then more and then more and so on. I took three and never made it to taking more, I fell asleep and woke up horribly sick the next day. I got really lucky that time. I never got the nerve to try again but for the rest of the summer I wanted to so badly. Then school started, and two things happened. One my girlfriend at the time (the one I got in trouble with) broke up with me and soon after she told me some potentially life-changing news (which we soon found out wasn't, thankfully).

I was down and I got kicked again, you can see. Instead though, something happened that saved me from where I was at. Rather than being content with standing by. Someone did something. Jessica Schneider was a girl who I was told wasn't the type of person to hang with and she might look down on me and she thought I was the kind of guy you that was asking for trouble. However, she posted a status update on facebook that I saw, and connected with over switching schools. I took a chance and just told her I knew how it felt. She even with her inclination to view me as the wrong type, invited me to a football game.

Before long I was at her bible study, and now she is my best friend. When I was worried about the possibility of dealing with BIG issues, she was getting me whatever I needed and willing to stand by me as much as needed. When I couldn't quit beating myself up over what I had done and been. She refused to let me settle with it and she insisted that I was a better person than that. She provided me with a person to talk to, she redeemed my faith in fellowship. I can honestly stand here and testify that she saved my life. Now we've come a long way since then. I'm back to where I was before I met those obstacles, smarter and wiser. You see there are a lot of things we could learn from what Jessica did, but one thing sticks out to me the most. The world wants to see miracles and wants to see Christ. Christ left 2000 years ago. He told us He was leaving, and He promised to send his Spirit until He returned. Christ is in us. What Jessica did was a miracle, they use to heal the blind and deaf, and she healed the heart of a guy on the path to destruction. You might say, well anyone could do that, and you're right they could. Yet she did do it. She reached out and offered a hand when it wasn't cool or beneficial. That's a modern day miracle. People miss the biblical heroes, I'll tell you now, people like Jessica are biblical heroes. We can all be one too. It just requires you to take a step and act. Be the hero in someone's life. I guarantee their are people all around you crying out for help, just look! Maybe they are the popular kid who is in a tough time in his life, maybe it's the teacher who is treated poorly by all the students, maybe it's the kid who doesn't have lunch with anyone or the pregnant teen. All it takes is one friendly, hello and you never know it could change everything. This goes for adults too. So as you go on with your day, just think about the difference you could make in someone's life. It had happened to Jessica, it can happen to you. Let God move within you, all you have to do is let him. I want to end with a verse from a song called Hero by Superchick, it's a remix of it actually. Think about this please.

Little Mikey D. was the one in class who everyday got brutally harassed
This went on for years until he decided that never again would he shed another tear
So he walked through the door, grabbed a four four out of his father's dressing drawer
And said I can't take life no more
And like that life can be lost
But this ain't even about that
All of us just sit back and watch it happen
Thinking' it's not my responsibility to solve a problem that isn't about me
This is our problem
This is just one of the daily scenarios which we choose to close our eyes
Instead of doing the right thing
If we make a choice and be the voice for those who won't speak up for themselves
How many lives would be saved, changed, rearranged
Now it's our time to pick a side
So don't keep walking' by
Not wanting' to intervene
Cause you want to exist and never be seen
So let's wake up and change the world
Our time is now

Much Love,

Luke

“It's not what we eat but what we digest that makes us strong; not what we gain but what we save that makes us rich; not what we read but what we remember that makes us learned; and not what we profess but what we practice that gives us integrity.”

3 Things to Think Over

Hey everyone, hope you all had a great Christmas. I sure did. I've been glued to my iPhone since I got it. The thing is scary at all it does. I feel like it owns me sometimes. Ha. I got something to write about that I've been thinking about on my 3 hour drive back down to Conway yesterday. First though, I want to give a praise to God for something so huge, I got accepted into UCA! His hands are all over that. I also want to ask that you all pray for a friend of mine. She's currently on the way to Mercy Hospital with severe abdominal pains, and it may be either kidney stones or appendcitis. I'm worried sick about her. She's one of the godliest women I know...scratch that, she is the godliest woman I know, and she needs all the prayers she can get. Thanks.

As for the purpose of this post. Heh. Oh yeah. I was suppose to write something, huh? Hmm, Alrightly then. I want to talk about these 3 things that I narrowed my thoughts down to on the drive. I kept thinking about all the different aspects of my faith and while explaining my faith to someone who isn't saved is easy. Trying to describe my faith to someone who is, is really really difficult. There are so many questions you have to cover to describe, your version basicially. So I tried to narrow it down and cut out all the fat and just get down to the basics. The three things to consider in your faith.

1. Grandpa's Faith vs. Dogma, Doctrine and Details

I don't know much about my grandpa's faith. I do know it was simple though. I like that. It's very endearing. There weren't fights over, infantial baptism, salvation security, Heaven, Hell, the last days, free will, works and so on. It didn't matter. The fact is if you believe you are a sinner, that Christ, the Son of God, died for your sins, and you accept him into your heart and confess him with your lips. You. Are. Saved. People always like to throw in extras to bog it down. I guarantee people will say I'm over simplifying that, but I would like to see scripturally where I am wrong. Some believe that 'once saved, always saved' others, believe you can lose it. I believe regardless, as long as you keep the faith, you can't lose it! It doesn't matter at that point. I believe baptism is very important, but you know what, it's not a matter of salvation. You don't get saved by water, you get saved by Christ, the end times aren't something that matter too much for a believer either. For one, we don't know the time or place, so no point in worrying about it on a personal level. Secondly, if you are saved, then you shouldn't be worried about how it ends, 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

My grandpa kept it simple, he didn't split hairs over those issues, and beat down other Christians, he kept the faith, trusted in the Lord to discern situations, and that was it. Simple. I feel like we as humans are naturally drawn to controversy, arguments and debate. God gave us reason on purpose, though sometimes I really believe we over think it. We want to figure out every little thing and we aren't satisfied otherwise. I draw back to the Child-like faith, keep it simple. I'm not saying dumb things down to smooth over the "rough edges". I'm saying don't get caught up in the little things, keep your focus on the big picture and see the greater scheme of things. I think the reason we are losing some many people is because of the factionalism. We are all out to show why our version of Christianity is the best and why the others aren't. We are competing with the other denominations. The ironic thing is, that right there isn't Christinaity. That's not Christ. Christ was never about that. We need to quit being so defensive and confrontational and realize we are all brothers in faith and we all look to the same person as our Lord and Savior. A house divided, cannot stand, as they say. It's practically a sign of vanity, we as Christians are looking so inwardly that we lose focus of the people who aren't saved, and on following Christ's teaching and instead bicker over the details to complete "The Look". So next time you get bogged down in the details. Keep my grandpa in mind, and keep it simple.

2.  Going Rambo

Yep we all know about those people who go Rambo, they do it all by themselves, don't rely on anyone for anything and just see others as getting in the way. They are in every aspect of life. Noticed they are in religion too? Those people who act like it's just them and Christ. They don't need anyone or anything. They act offended if you offer to help them, or ask them for help. Why are you asking me for help? Where's your faith in Christ?! Those people. I am strongly against Rambos. I understand where they are coming from, Christ is the essential piece to your life, without a doubt. They fail to see the rest though. God gave us the gift of fellowship though, and it's a tool. I feel a lot of people see fellowship merely as socialization. It's a greater thing than that though, it's a bond and a protection. You aren't alone. While in fellowship you may be let down and hurt, God gave it to you still to help you. Case point #1:

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” Matthew 18:20

When we are together, God is right there with you. How can that possibly not be a good thing? You and Christ = Cool. How about You, Christ, and many other followers as well? We are here to hold each other up, and to provide for one another as brothers. How is being a Rambo biblical? It looks to me to be prideful. Here's another view of it. 1 Peter 5:8 says: 

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 

Now I don't know about you, but I like to watch Animal Planet. It's got all the drama of life, in a natural, engaging form. Now sometimes they'll show lions hunting. I've noticed something very particular. The lions always catch the one who splits from the group, the one who goes his own way, the one who goes Rambo. Now look at that verse. The devil is a prowling lion, looking to devour us Christians, why would you want to shy away from the safety of the group, the fellowship? Not to mention, sometimes our hearts fail us, sometimes we can do things and truly be thinking we are doing them for the Lord, but we've become so misguided we fail to see its not at all what He wants. It's nice to have that fellowship to keep you accountable and keep you in check. We thrive on companionship and that's been proven scientifically and it's sound biblically, you don't have to look beyond Genesis 2 to see that. Friends are so important to growing in faith. I would be so far in the wrong direction without them! So again, don't Rambo it, keep up the fellowship.

3.Forgive, At All Costs, Forgive

You hear all the time, yeah but I just can't forgive this person, it's different. No, no it's not. We are called to forgive one another, over and over again, with full genuineness.  I hear, that's not fair though! Why should I forgive them again, I've forgiven them once or twice, why should I keep on forgiving them! They don't deserve it. First, I think it's pretty safe to say, life isn't fair. Duh. Secondly, we are called to do extradionary and what to the world seems to be irrational and unbelievable things. This to me is one of the most important ones. If you want to get really nitty gritty about it and want to discuss fairness. How is your promise of heaven fair? You don't deserve it. You, you sinner, the one who God gave everything, gave in fairness and love. You defile his gifts, curse his name, and spit in his face every hour of the day (Don't forget that includes allll the Christians). If you want to talk fair, you deserve Hell. Eternal, fiery, gnashing of teeth, capital H, Hell.  Like one of my favorite songs by Relient K, Hope for Every Fallen Man says:

"Because the judge of you is someone I could never be, is why you should thank the Lord that it is Him, and it's not me." 

God still, through all that, offers you something so unfair to him, salvation, reconciliation and everlasting life. So don't discuss fair with me. That's ridiculous. Romans 12:2 says:

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." 

We are expected to be different. We are called to be. We want people to go why on earth would they continue to forgive them? That's how lives and hearts are changed. That's evangelism in it's rawest, purest form, and you thought you had to talk in public! We are to be imitators of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Should we not then forgive? After all it is the hallmark of what he's known for. Should we not also do it out of love and not out of sheer obligation? We should forgive because we ourselves were forgiven. (Matthew 6:14-15) If we truly have Christ in our hearts, we should forgive others merely to share the beautiful gift that forgiveness is. If you can instill that in your heart, and follow through with it, eventually it will no longer be a burden. Forgive, Forgive, and you guessed it, Forgive some more.

I got one or two more of these idea in the works. I need to mull over them a bit longer. I suggest you think these over and look into it in your own life, I also suggest you don't take a single word I say as Truth and instead go look for yourself in the Word. Test what I write against it, if it holds up keep it, otherwise, throw it out.

Much Love,
Luke

“Listen a hundred times; ponder a thousand times; speak once.”

The Child-Like Heart

If it seems like I'm posting a ton, I do that. Ha. I tend to prefer a lot of small posts rather than a few long ones. It also makes it easier for you to pick up or leave at anytime. =)

Can I truly be a child at heart? I see people, that some how, have made it through life without becoming jaded by the world, without being cold.  They laugh and smile through life, and it's honest, it's not to hide something or run from something. They trust everyone and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. They love and grieve everything close to them. They have faith merely by trusting. All those things are attributed to children. Christ said that only by becoming like a child can we ever enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3) I'm pretty certain this what he was talking about. It's incredibly tough to follow. The world demands the opposite of us and it pounds it into our heads continously, until eventually you wake up one day and wonder "What happened?" It didn't happen all in one day though, it's a process that bit by bit you surrender your child-like nature, or worse have it slowly stolen from you by horrible circumstances. I compare my behavior to that of the child Christ asks us to be, and many times, I'm found wanting. I believe it will be an on-going life long process. I have faith one day, I'll be one of those people though. One day, I'll leave this place with a child's heart, like my Grandpa, my Uncle Carl, and like many others.

Much Love,
Luke

Be free,... simple, a child. But be a sturdy child, who fears nothing, who speaks out frankly, who lets himself be led, who is carried in the arms; in a word, one who knows nothing, can do nothing, can anticipate and change nothing, but who has a freedom and a strength forbidden to the great. This childhood baffles the wise, and God Himself speaks by the mouth of such children.  - Francois Fenelon

Baby Jesus = Safe Jesus

My friend Thomas brought  up a good point last Wednesday. We were having our small group Christmas party and we were going to read about the birth of Christ. He decided instead to read the the crucifixion. The reason being we get too caught up in Baby Jesus. We forget why he was born and what he would say and what would happen to him. I see a lot of truth in this. We Christians and even the secular world love Baby Jesus. It's a sweet story, there is a baby, it's all warm and fuzzy. It's also true, that it's before he shook things up.  He hasn't made demands and commands. He hasn't exposed sins, he hasn't died a horrific, bloody, excruciating (which literally means: from the cross) death, because of you, me, and everyone else. We were personally responsible for it. Instead Baby Jesus is a cute kid, who is here to save humanity, but hasn't learned to talk and be such a buzz kill. Baby Jesus to most is Safe Jesus. I suggest this Christmas you take some time to think about why we celebrate His birth, read the birth, but then go read the crucifixion. Keep things in focus this holiday season.

Much Love,
Luke

"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide-open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart". - George Mathhew Adams

Safe Jesus ≠ Real Jesus

I'm in search of the real Christ, the real faith, and the the life of salvation. I'm trying to get past all the Jesus on a stage, Jesus in the movie, Jesus on the canvas, or Jesus on the cross. I'm looking for the Jesus who lived, loved, taught, saved, freed, healed, captivated, cared, listened, spoke, died and rose again. I'm looking for what He said, HIS way. I don't want another person's interpretation of this or that, I want to know what He said, and what He meant. This requires the Spirit working in me to discern this to me through scripture and prayer. I'm looking for the the real faith. I don't want a Sundays and Wednesdays faith, I'm in the hunt for the biblical faith, the mountain moving, life changing, healing, saving holy faith. Christ showed us that faith, then we saw it passed on to his disciples. This means I know it exists, and that it's obtainable, luckily for me it's got a map to reach it: Scripture. I'm also in search of the life of salvation. Up until the moment you tell Christ your love for him, in a strange way it's easy. Surprisingly, it's after you are saved that's harder, but in a different way. I'm looking for my new potential you could say. I'm trying to see where God is asking me to go, where to follow, where to lead. I'm in essence trying trying to get down to the basics of what Christ is after. Burn away stereotypes, traditions, assumptions, fears. I want to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven, not church. I need to let go of the things that hold me back from doing so, and I also need to help others be liberated from those things. I have to end myself as well, my issues with lust, envy, and pride. I have to find a way to cut the baggage loose or I will tear myself apart before I ever get anywhere.

Much Love,
Luke

Here's a quote to live by:

While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while children go hungry, as they do now I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end! --William Booth

Scars...

It’s not completely true when they say hindsight is 20/20 or at least it’s misleading. We don’t always suddenly see how our actions have manifested consequences afterward. Sometimes we see something completely off from the truth. Usually though, down the road, we see the cold hard facts. The bible says that we look through a glass, darkly. Or in other words, our perception of reality is warped. Very true. Sometimes we have the best laid plans, with the best of intentions and all the skills needed to follow through and sometimes those plans just… go astray. You don’t mean for them to, you may not even realize they are, if fact you usually don’t. It begins this slow descent, until eventually either you are in the middle of nowhere, or you may have become the very thing you were against. I feel for most people, the realization at the end is the worst. It certainly has been for me. The realization that all along, you were the enemy, you were the traitor, the monster, the blame has no one to fall on but you., that’s what reaches the deepest, most tender parts of the heart and shatters it from the core. There are always silver linings in life though, and here is no different. If you can stop yourself from laying there broken and bitter, you’ll see that the experience draws you to God. He will humble you greatly, and then shelter you. That scar on your heart is a reminder so that you’ll never forget what has happened. If you can mentally, physically, and spiritually survive it, you’ll be stronger, wiser and better off than how you began. That scar though can be a testimony to others, as well as a cautionary tale. Remember, through struggle, opportunity blossoms.

Easier Said Than Done

You know, for me personally, the hardest part of life is letting go. I want to control every aspect of my life down to the smallest detail. I worry and fret and stress the minute I lose control of the smallest part in my life, but I’m trying to let go. In my faith, Jesus says

“Those who hold onto their lives will surely lose it.”

That seems surprisingly true. The times I hold on to everything, I seem to lose all of it. Maybe you that I’m just bad at managing my life, but when I let go it’s totally different. I say to God that if he will strip all of the unnecessary things from my life and just leave me with that which draws me toward him, then it’s for the best. He does that and it’s crazy I end up with so much more that way, plus less stress and worries. I just have to keep reminding myself of the fact he all for our good (Romans 8:28). That he isn’t going to slight us. Even at times when it seems horrible, I just have to step back and see that maybe one day God will show me how everything truly was both for mine and his benefit. The smartest thing I can do in my life is lay everything down, pick up my cross, and follow him. He will take care of the rest. Truthfully, there is nothing better than that to me.

I suggest everyone listens to Tenth Avenue North's "Let it Go" at least once:

I've been holding on so tight
Look at these knuckles
They've gone white
I'm fighting for who I wanna be
I'm just trying to find security

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one to lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go.

Well it's hard enough to hear 
Harder still, to move beyond this fear
We know there's nothing I can bring,
So tell me what do you want from me?

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one to lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

What do I love?
What do I hate?
What will I lose? 
What will I gain?
How do I save my soul?
What if I bend?
What if I break?
What will it cost?
What will it take?
For you to save my soul.

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one to lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one to lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it's then I'll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

Wisdom Minus Intelligence

You know, Forrest Gump had it right or at least his momma did when she said

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know whatcha gonna get.”

Even better, life can be like an individual chocolate. One day you think you are doing something ordinary only to find out that what you are doing is something so much greater of importance. Other times, you’ll work your tail off only to be disappointed. Like a chocolate in which you are hoping to find a nice cherry filling but instead are let down when you bite down only to find an almond. So many things in life are in disguise: demons, blessings, hopes, dreams, destiny, luck, emotions. They say the only thing you can be certain of in this life is Death and Taxes. Before long, I won’t be so sure. I’d say that you’d be better off with saying that the only thing you can be certain of in this life is that you can’t be certain. Assumptions and expectations are as dangerous as plutonium, you chance with it and it may not end well. I personally prefer to roll with the tide and see where God takes me in this bouncing blue marble. After all who knows what might happen?