Some highlights from January of 2005, as follows:

Romans 10

2005-01-09 - Sunday - 12:29 PM PST - Xanga - I wrote: "Chapter of the day is Romans 10."

Snow & Ice Safety

2005-01-11 - Tuesday - 05:33 PM - Xanga - I wrote: "Snow and ice safety - By Joey Arnold - 1/11/05 - When your snowman is too stiff and frozen to roll down the hill to play with you, then you know that it is too cold. When you place chains on the wheels of your cars to keep them from skidding but you still skid and sometimes even tip over, then you know that it is too cold. When your gloves sticks to the ground when you were making that snow angel instead of doing your quiet time, then you know it is, yes, way too cold. When you speeded and cut people off on the highway and then finally slip off the hill to turn that brand new car into a Goodwill special, then you know it is, Lord willing, too cold. When all your snow campers get lost somewhere in the snow or lake, then you know that it is too cold. But when you placed out your hand to reach for that falling gal in the ice even when there is to be no PC (physical contact) you smile because you remember that you can offer your hand when dangerous ice to threaten our female population during the wonderful winter wonderland season. And then, dude, you know that it is not too cold! No way, because you remember when God said �it is not good for man to be alone� and then you holler �I love Word Of Life Bridal Institute.� That, my friend, is when it is not too cold, but that it is just right. Just stay cool, get it; but next thing you know you�ll be having a picnic on the lake. Now that my friend, is not safe. Anyways, whenever you are stuck in a blizzard, calm down, just pray and look for a girl (or a clumsy guy like me) to help out of the snow; and smile."

The Nalgene Syndrome

2005-01-12 - Wednesday - 02:43 PM - Xanga - I wrote: "The Nalgene bottles at WOLBI are more widespread and addictive than my oatmeal. A recent non-existent study shows that 9 out of ten students has or will have a Nalgene bottle. Only the Lord can possible know why the Nalgene syndrome has taken over Word Of Life. Perhaps it is its indestructible frame and coolness. Perhaps it�s what is cool now and days, and can you dig it? Perhaps, even, that bottles all have secret cameras on them, inserted from the government for spying purposes, and that we are all being brain-washed into buying them. Perhaps we have lost our mind and have bought the popular Nalgene bottles out of necessity and out of the fact that they are the only bottles you can buy unless if you want to drive an hour to some unknown town called Albany. Perhaps the Lord is in all this, and is hoping that we all realize that the Nalgene syndrome is the only way to Heaven. Perhaps? Oh never mind about that last one, but perhaps. Perhaps this is all a dream and that we are yet to realize how stylist and dependable these mobile bottles can be. Or perhaps we all just have the Nalgene bottles because we just do, and that we love them. Now that is a love story. The only thing better is the love of Christ for us which is unconditional love. Now if only we could demonstrate the wonderful love of Christ to all people in the same way that we have already shown interest and love for the Nalgene (syndrome) bottles. Then you would have. Perhaps we could."

Who are you when nobody is looking?

2005-01-16 - Sunday - 04:50 PM - Xanga - I wrote: "By Joey Arnold - Oatmeal Productions - Who you are when nobody is looking is who you really are. It�s what I call �character.� Doing as we ought, when people are looking [reputation]: is like peer-pressure; it�s common, popular, respectful, expected, and even requested. Yet, doing as we ought, when nobody is looking [character]: is ludicrous, absurd, awkward; and even considered as being unnecessary. The world, as described in Romans 12:2, highly favors maintaining your GPA. I mean your reputation. The world will often treat reputation to be as important as your GPA [GPA = something to do with doing good in school]. Reputation is held and influenced by what people think of you. The possibility for people to think good of you�as in good reputation�while living a lie�as in a bad character and attitude�is doable. What people think of you [reputation] changes like the wind, or waves: therefore, living and developing solely based upon what people think [reputation] rather than what God thinks�since God sees your character�will distract you. Anybody can say one thing, and do another [while maintaining a respectful reputation]. Yet, when you get alone with yourself�whether externally or internally by yourself�you will often catch and see who you really are. What do you think? And how do you go about thinking? Do you find yourself living your life contrary to whom you really are�character�and to what you hold true�as in priorities and lifestyle? My character had a checkup the other day: I found myself upset with a few little things. As expected, I was mad and I disliked what was bothering me, but I was also upset about how my attitude was towards what was bothering me�tough circumstances. Being negative towards all the little things that bother me is a habit, but it�s not productive. Productivity is vital in any business: and in the long run the bigger products must take higher priorities and importance. In the business of eternity, inviting people to eternity with God is what will matters most. What bothers and tick me is little compared to eternity. The least I can do, is resolve my differences with people by confronting them one-on-one. But a major key in getting along and in being productive is simple avoiding them before they ever happen. That day reminded me to focus on the bigger picture in life�seeing people saved. Little problems and issues won�t matter in a billion years from now. All that matter is what treasure we laid up in Heaven where moths and rust does not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Character is developed and grows, but it only grows when you work on it. Reputation can be ruined like a melting box-sled race, but your character will last forever."

Philippians 2:4

2005-01-22 - Saturday - 11:42 AM - Xanga - I wrote: "Joey Arnold 824: WOLBI 129. Pottersville NY 12860. Phone: 518-494-1618. http://xanga.com/romans10nine. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9. [email protected]. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4."