I am a rock

a winter’s day
in a deep and dark december;
i am alone,
gazing from my window to the streets below
on a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
i am a rock,
i am an island.
i’ve built walls,
a fortress deep and mighty,
that none may penetrate.
i have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
it’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain.
i am a rock,
i am an island.

don’t talk of love,
but I’ve heard the words before;
it’s sleeping in my memory.
i won’t disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
if I never loved I never would have cried.
i am a rock,
i am an island.

i have my books
and my poetry to protect me;
i am shielded in my armor,
hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
i touch no one and no one touches me.
i am a rock,
i am an island.

and a rock feels no pain;
and an island never cries.

Posted byMike Fennema posted 9:05 PM 3 comments  

Goosebumps

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. [A]bout the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."
Hebrews 1:1-3, 8-9 NIV

Goosebumps...this passage gets me everytime. Why? I love kingdom imagery, and to think of Jesus sitting at the right hand of God fills me with awe. I love being in awe of God. If only I could be in a perpetual state of awe.

Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:46 PM 0 comments  

So This is What Floridians Think of Christmas...

I don't think that I ever thought that I would have the opportunity to play sports outside on Christmas day. That is what always made the first sign of spring so special: being able to be outside. But goodness gracious, how wierd it was today.
To be honest, I didn't think that today was going to be a good day, but I was proved dead wrong. Last night was tough being at the Christmas Eve service. Christmas Eve is usually the night that my family and I celebrate our Christmas. We always go out to dinner as a family including my grandparents. Then we go back to my parent's house, open presents, and have desert. The service last night was beautiful, but not being with my family just made the night tough. However, I am grateful to all the people who invited me over to spend the holiday, those that I was able to make it to, and those I was not. Gammichia's, Sniders, and Jakes: thank you so much! It meant the world to me to be able to spend the holiday with you. Nothing quite makes up for actual family, but you all made it a merry Christmas.
Despite the fact that it is December 25, it doesn't exactly feel like Christmas though. This was my first warm weather Christmas, and I don't know if it is something that I can ever get used to. We don't always have snow in Chicago for Christmas, but the weather will always be chilly. I guess that I just associate that with Christmas: bundling up, having a fire, hot chocolate, pajama pants, sweatshirts, slippers, and wool socks. I don't know how you Florida people do it. I just feel like you're missing out. You may think I'm crazy for preferring the cold weather, but Christmas without the cold (and if you're lucky the snow) just makes me feel like a fish out a water.
Enought of my babbling...Happy Birthday Jesus. Thanks for coming, and we look forward to you comin' again. Revelation 22:20b

Posted byMike Fennema posted 8:45 PM 2 comments  

We are all Edmund.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11

Guess what movie I just saw? I will say, not quite on the same plane as Lord of the Rings (not much is), but I thoroughly and utterly enjoyed myself.

Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:09 PM 3 comments  

Psalm 136

Sometimes what is needed is to think back on all the times when you know that God has worked in your life and how faithful he has been. Seeing how he has worked in the past brings comfort for the present and hope for the future. Right now, I can look at my life and based on how God has been in the past, I can take comfort in knowing he's got me right where he wants me. And as I anticipate tomorrow and next week and next month and next year, I can rest in the hope of his constant love.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136.1

Posted byMike Fennema posted 11:27 PM 2 comments  

Free writing

Well, its been a good yet tough week so far with its ups and downs, and I have a feeling that the tough is going to overtake the good from here on out...
And with the holiday season of go go go...i'm just tired.
I've got to finish Christmas (and wedding) shopping, but who in their right mind wants to be at the mall right now?
Its 10 o'clock, and I just got home after leaving this morning at 7 am.
The good thing, though, is the fact that I am now a mentor. I paired up with a kid tonight, and that makes me happy.
I'm getting to the point where I need another extended amount of time by myself. Anyone know of any good monasteries around here? I could use a couple of days to recharge these introverted batteries that have been running low lately.
Does anybody have any good ideas on how to not hit your snooze button in the morning?
Senior citizens love a little loving attention, and they apparently love being sung to, no matter how terrible it sounds.
I own the fast track at the Lil' 500. You can't touch this.
I love my bed. I don't just like to sleep (which I do and I'm darn good at it thanks to my father), but I love my bed. And it love me too.
Thank you. I'm here all week.

Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:05 PM 4 comments  

The Boys of Summer(wood)

Don't worry ladies. There is more than enough of us to go around.

Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:54 PM 1 comments  

Clubbin' in Dowtown Orlando


Number one reason why I love where I work: they throw good parties.
Last night we had our Christmas party downtown at the Citrus club. Good food, nice place, great view. The best part was hanging out with people outside of work. The walls come down, the conversation becomes a little more real, and you git to know people a little better.
The people that I work with are a fun bunch too. Everyone has very different personalities, but I feel that we fit together as a team so well. Having a good team feeds the success of the company, not to mention the solid leadership of Don and Jamie.
We also got to play a nice little game of Yankee Swap, as Michael from the office would say (it was intended from the get go. No one got an oven mitt and then decided to turn it into Yankee Swap). Don, as always, was most generous, and all of us walked away with gift cards to some very nice restaurants (nice work Hayley on picking that #1).
After a lot of hard work, it was nice to be able to kick back and have some fun with the people that I spend a majority of my time with.
Enjoy the pics.

Posted byMike Fennema posted 11:20 AM 0 comments  

All is Groovy

Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

Hello lamp-post, what's cha knowing, I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me, do-it-do-do, feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me

Life I love you, all is groovy

Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:39 PM 0 comments