(AUTHOR'S NOTE - This is getting more difficult to share with you, but you've come with me this far. This isn't pretty, and I thank you for your grace to continue on this journey. That said, please remember: I'm sharing this with you as I see it. I'm not trying to dramatically manipulate or anything. As a matter of fact, if I feel myself manipulating what I see in any way, I stop and go do something else. So, what you are reading is what I see as I see it. Hence, the narrative is not perfect, and I'm not taking the time to edit it.)
========================
The dark army of -self encircles me.
Even though my vision is blurred, I know these shadows all too well - a host of other characters whom I have never acknowledged in the light.
I have let these creatures live in this shadowy place of my cave of solace. By refusing to look in the mirror, I have let them gather strength in this dark cavern.
Then, the first attack comes. My Doubt. He delivers a crushing blow to my head.
As I stumble, he screams obscenities about my lack of faith, calling into question every skill, every talent I have.
My backpack...my skills! My talents!
I make a move for my bag, and Doubt calls out to his partner: my sense of Worthlessness.
Worthlessness steps between me and my bag, blocking the way. He declares some half-truths about my insignificance. No...I know better...
Worthlessness spots the defiance in my gaze, so he calls out to a third partner: my Pride.
Pride steps up beside Worthlessness and Doubt. The three of them create an inner circle within the larger circle of dark, taunting shadows.
The three partners rush me. This time, I'm defending myself!
The fight plays out like a bad Kung-Fu movie, except instead of being able to fend of my adversaries, they gain the upper hand.
Pride delivers a stiff kick directly into my chest. I collapse backward and land at the feet of an older-looking version of myself.
This is the part of me that I despise: Time. His iron grip wraps around my throat and lifts me off my feet and hurls me across the cavern.
My back slams against the cavern wall. Time made one mistake. He threw me right next to my backpack.
He's across the cavern, so I take the opportunity to reach for my skills. Yet, within a blink, he is in front of me. Time moves more quickly than I realized. He scoffs at my skills and talents.
He calls out to Pride, Worthlessness and Doubt, "Dallas thinks that these skills can save him against his age!" He laughs as he continues, "Look at that: a one-time prodigy, now in his thirties, who has yet to make any impact in the world!"
Time gives a high-five to another shadow: my Insignificance.
Insignificance picks up my bag, pours out the contents onto the cave floor, kicks dust on them and laughs.
The others laugh as well, mocking me.
Enraged, I let out a scream and plow right into Insignificance.
The others continue laughing until I lay them out, one by one, with my fists. Pride, Worthlessness and Doubt join Insignificance in a heap on the floor.
All I can see is red as I rush Time and tackle him to the floor, pummeling his wrinkled face with my bloodied, swollen fists.
After a moment, I cease my attack. I didn't want to fight these shadows with force, but I...
Then, I hear applause. I stand up, huffing and puffing, my heart still racing. I turn around.
Standing there, applauding my every move is: my Anger.
His sly smile quickly melts into a rage. He races toward me and knocks me to the ground.
(TO BE CONTINUED...)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
DDP - Exit Journey Part 02
I reach a deep plateau. I set down my backpack to rest.
The cavern is huge.
The cavern is huge.
The cave is empty. The ground is dusty. No footprints except mine.
I think to myself, I don't remember having ever gone this deep before, yet it seems familiar.
Then, I see something: an object.
I move closer. The object becomes clear.
I move closer. The object becomes clear.
A full-length mirror.
The mirror is covered in soot and dust.
I look into the mirror. What I see sends shivers up my spine.
Staring back at me is a dark reflection of myself.
The reflection scowls at me, as if to taunt me into a fight.
The reflection scowls at me, as if to taunt me into a fight.
Despising what I see, I lower my eyes and look away.
I turn and walk back to grab my backpack so that I can leave this dark mirror and this part of my cave.
Then, the dark reflection steps out of the mirror and sets foot into the cavern, his shadowy footprints now joining mine on the dusty floor.
He moves, stealth-like, toward me. I don't notice it until he is right beside me. I turn to face him just as his shadowy fist connects with my left eye. I stumble backward. My eye immediately begins to swell.
However, I refuse to fight him. I cannot engage my darker self in some, Jekyll-and-Hyde-type struggle of wills. This is not a battle of force and might.
Before I can gain my footing, his dark fist flies toward my other eye.
I fall to my knees in pain.
Both eyes are swollen. My vision is impaired. I cannot see.
No. I will not fight you.
I lift my head, ready to let out a scream, a cry, a prayer --- anything.
However, before I can speak, this darker self pummels my jaw.
Blood flies from my mouth. I cannot speak.
As I spit blood onto the cavern floor, he drives a knee into the side of my head.
I crumple to my elbows and knees. My head is throbbing. I cannot think.
Suddenly, a boot connects with my mid-section. I fall to the floor, the wind knocked out of me. I cannot breathe.
I cannot... I will not... fight you with force.
He picks me up and throws me into the cave wall. I collapse to the ground, rocks and debris falling on top of me.
His attack has been strategic:
I cannot see.
I cannot speak.
I cannot think.
I cannot breathe.
Covered in dust and rubble, a panicked thought invades my mind: Have I descended this far only to lose a battle with my darker self?
A cough. More blood spits out.
My darker self paces back and forth, fists clenched.
I cannot overcome him.
Then, a moment of clarity...
Through my swollen eyes, I spot the dark mirror. My hand feels a large rock. My fingers wrap around the stone.
If...I...can...only...destroy...the dark mirror.
In a last ditch effort of strength and will, I grab the rock, pull myself to my feet and sprint past my dark shadow.
With all my might, I hurl the rock into the mirror and it shatters into pieces.
The shards crumble to the ground.
Silence.
I look around. I am alone. My dark shadow is gone.
Thank God.
Then, I hear a rattling. The mirror shards are shaking. I look down at the scattered, broken pieces.
What I see terrifies me: within the fragments of the mirror are countless dark reflections staring back at me, each shadow a different aspect of my unredeemed soul.
Each dark characteristic arises out of the broken pieces.
This dark army of my soul encircles me.
Terror overwhelms me.
If I was unable to fight one dark reflection, how will I now defeat all of these ghostly aspects of my soul?
(TO BE CONTINUED...)
However, I refuse to fight him. I cannot engage my darker self in some, Jekyll-and-Hyde-type struggle of wills. This is not a battle of force and might.
Before I can gain my footing, his dark fist flies toward my other eye.
I fall to my knees in pain.
Both eyes are swollen. My vision is impaired. I cannot see.
No. I will not fight you.
I lift my head, ready to let out a scream, a cry, a prayer --- anything.
However, before I can speak, this darker self pummels my jaw.
Blood flies from my mouth. I cannot speak.
As I spit blood onto the cavern floor, he drives a knee into the side of my head.
I crumple to my elbows and knees. My head is throbbing. I cannot think.
Suddenly, a boot connects with my mid-section. I fall to the floor, the wind knocked out of me. I cannot breathe.
I cannot... I will not... fight you with force.
He picks me up and throws me into the cave wall. I collapse to the ground, rocks and debris falling on top of me.
His attack has been strategic:
I cannot see.
I cannot speak.
I cannot think.
I cannot breathe.
Covered in dust and rubble, a panicked thought invades my mind: Have I descended this far only to lose a battle with my darker self?
A cough. More blood spits out.
My darker self paces back and forth, fists clenched.
I cannot overcome him.
Then, a moment of clarity...
Through my swollen eyes, I spot the dark mirror. My hand feels a large rock. My fingers wrap around the stone.
If...I...can...only...destroy...the dark mirror.
In a last ditch effort of strength and will, I grab the rock, pull myself to my feet and sprint past my dark shadow.
With all my might, I hurl the rock into the mirror and it shatters into pieces.
The shards crumble to the ground.
Silence.
I look around. I am alone. My dark shadow is gone.
Thank God.
Then, I hear a rattling. The mirror shards are shaking. I look down at the scattered, broken pieces.
What I see terrifies me: within the fragments of the mirror are countless dark reflections staring back at me, each shadow a different aspect of my unredeemed soul.
Each dark characteristic arises out of the broken pieces.
This dark army of my soul encircles me.
Terror overwhelms me.
If I was unable to fight one dark reflection, how will I now defeat all of these ghostly aspects of my soul?
(TO BE CONTINUED...)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
DDP - Exit Journey Part 01
I am deep in the belly of the dark cave.
The walls of the cavern are slimy and cold.
The air is thick, stale. No movement. No ventilation this far below.
Over the past several weeks I have continued deeper and deeper into this dark place. From levels of self-loathing to self-accusation, from self-hatred to self-detestation. As I descend, each plateau takes me further into the chasm.
The best thing to do would be turn around and go back to the surface, but I cannot. Something is drawing me deeper. I shoulder my backpack, filled with supplies --- my talents, my abilities, my skills --- all the tools God has given me. All the tools I've ever used in my life. I take my backpack, and I journey deeper.
From the surface above, I faintly hear the voices of my friends, my family, my wife. Everyone is calling me to come back to the surface, to reemerge. Some say that they are praying. Others say that they want to journey with me. Yet, this is a journey I must, ultimately, make alone because this is my cave.
I've come here since I was a boy. This is my place of solitude.
I come here to think, to get away from it all.
This is my place of familiar reclusiveness.
I thought I knew every crevice, every rock face, every level of descent; but I have found new depths that frighten and terrify me. As far as I know, I'm the only one who has ever been in this particular cave. Yet, somehow, these new depths feel haunted, as though I'm not alone.
Something is drawing me further and further down. I ponder, "Is it my soul? My God? What would be drawing me further, and what would there be to see down this far?"
(TO BE CONTINUED...)
Friday, August 20, 2010
DDP - A Point Of Clarification
First, thank you all so much for your amazing words, encouragements, prayers, etc. It's breathtaking and comforting to know that, even online, their is a community of faith, family and friends who hope and pray the best for me, my wife, our son and our lives.
I have received a number of great comments here on the blog as well as emails, text messages and even some personal calls from many of you who have offered counsel, wisdom, advice, prayer and even just an open ear. I am grateful for all of you.
I also want to thank you for allowing me to be so open and transparent with you. Some have thanked me for putting in words what they have been feeling while others have told me they felt I shared too much. Yet, I think it is necessary that we live transparently before each other, and I will continue to strive to do just that. I began this blog as an effort to get my open and honest thoughts out there to share with you, and I appreciate you allowing me the ability to do that.
(side note: this is not therapy for me to write these things for you. In fact, it is painful and somewhat embarrassing. So I am not exposing myself in an effort to gain some sort of twisted self-absolution. I am simply striving to be honest with you on all of my thoughts.)
That said, not every thought is pretty. Not every thought is well-written. Not every thought is easy to read, and some are downright disturbing.
Nonetheless, I will continue to strive to be as open and honest as I can, always encouraging dialogue with you with no walls or barriers between us. Speak your mind here, and I will speak mine. Together, we will strive for unity. Not unity of ideas, nor unity of philosophies on every subject. I wouldn't want that. Neither you nor I should be parrots of one another. No.
Rather, we will strive for unity of Spirit in perfect love. Here, at this place/this blog, we will not fear what is said because --- as a wise Word once written says, "Perfect Love casts out all fear."
=======
Second, I would like to clarify my particular DDP "crisis", if you will.
This DDP is not a crisis of faith.
Far from it! Indeed, my faith is more resolute than ever that God is unwavering in His passionate pursuit of me.
Rather, this DDP is a crisis of self.
My DDP is a place to which I must occasionally journey in order to find solace and re-energize myself to face the world again. Not to make a joke but consider, if you would, that my DDP is much like Superman's Fortress Of Solitude. (Cue the head-shaking) This is the place I go to get away and recharge.
However, this time, the cave has been darker.
The shadows, looming. The journey, longer. The depths, deeper.
Through some prayer and introspection time this week, I have had a series of thoughts, dreams and/or visions.
I believe that my DDP exit journey has begun, and I am working it out. The "visions", if you will, have come in sequence; and amazingly they are ending at cliffhanger points.
Please stick with me through these next several blog entries while I work out these thoughts and please indulge me to take a little more blog time on my DDP journey. Happy days will be here again.
These next several blog entries will be where each of the "visions" have ended, so that you can see where the journey is taking me. I will warn you: I am not out of it yet.
Also, I want to say that none of these pictures have been pre-meditated or pre-conceived by me, nor do I know how any of this will resolve. The journey segments you read on this blog is what I'm getting at the same time. I will do my best to use my words to paint as vivid a picture as I'm seeing for you.
Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers and support. You are all so dear to me!
I have received a number of great comments here on the blog as well as emails, text messages and even some personal calls from many of you who have offered counsel, wisdom, advice, prayer and even just an open ear. I am grateful for all of you.
I also want to thank you for allowing me to be so open and transparent with you. Some have thanked me for putting in words what they have been feeling while others have told me they felt I shared too much. Yet, I think it is necessary that we live transparently before each other, and I will continue to strive to do just that. I began this blog as an effort to get my open and honest thoughts out there to share with you, and I appreciate you allowing me the ability to do that.
(side note: this is not therapy for me to write these things for you. In fact, it is painful and somewhat embarrassing. So I am not exposing myself in an effort to gain some sort of twisted self-absolution. I am simply striving to be honest with you on all of my thoughts.)
That said, not every thought is pretty. Not every thought is well-written. Not every thought is easy to read, and some are downright disturbing.
Nonetheless, I will continue to strive to be as open and honest as I can, always encouraging dialogue with you with no walls or barriers between us. Speak your mind here, and I will speak mine. Together, we will strive for unity. Not unity of ideas, nor unity of philosophies on every subject. I wouldn't want that. Neither you nor I should be parrots of one another. No.
Rather, we will strive for unity of Spirit in perfect love. Here, at this place/this blog, we will not fear what is said because --- as a wise Word once written says, "Perfect Love casts out all fear."
=======
Second, I would like to clarify my particular DDP "crisis", if you will.
This DDP is not a crisis of faith.
Far from it! Indeed, my faith is more resolute than ever that God is unwavering in His passionate pursuit of me.
Rather, this DDP is a crisis of self.
My DDP is a place to which I must occasionally journey in order to find solace and re-energize myself to face the world again. Not to make a joke but consider, if you would, that my DDP is much like Superman's Fortress Of Solitude. (Cue the head-shaking) This is the place I go to get away and recharge.
However, this time, the cave has been darker.
The shadows, looming. The journey, longer. The depths, deeper.
Through some prayer and introspection time this week, I have had a series of thoughts, dreams and/or visions.
I believe that my DDP exit journey has begun, and I am working it out. The "visions", if you will, have come in sequence; and amazingly they are ending at cliffhanger points.
Please stick with me through these next several blog entries while I work out these thoughts and please indulge me to take a little more blog time on my DDP journey. Happy days will be here again.
These next several blog entries will be where each of the "visions" have ended, so that you can see where the journey is taking me. I will warn you: I am not out of it yet.
Also, I want to say that none of these pictures have been pre-meditated or pre-conceived by me, nor do I know how any of this will resolve. The journey segments you read on this blog is what I'm getting at the same time. I will do my best to use my words to paint as vivid a picture as I'm seeing for you.
Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers and support. You are all so dear to me!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Even More Letters From The DDP
I feel that I must divulge more info to you about the DDP.
I'm unsure that I have made clear to you the stark reality of this emotional chasm.
I've been in this state for weeks now, actually a month.
(Please pray for Meg...she is over it.)
The problem with my DDP is that it is an overwhelming place of second-, triple-, and even quadruple-guessing my thoughts, motivations, faith, problems, weaknesses, etc., etc., etc.
Please understand: this is more than just melancholy thoughts of "oh-what-a-bad-day-woe-is-me" nonsensical thinking that is brushed away by a single prayer or a good comedy movie.
Also, it's more than just an adult version of a temper-tantrum.
It's a brutal place of spiraling brokenness from which there is no easy repentance nor easy escape.
The DDP is a continual descent from plateau to plateau, each one caused by the other.
The cycle is vicious, and I have a hard time breaking it.
This DDP journey, in particular, has been especially brutal.
Here is how the spiral works for me:
I begin to self-doubt --- talents, abilities, destiny, future, whatever it may be.
Then, my self-doubt spirals into self-loathing because "I KNOW BETTER!"
Then, my self-loathing spirals further into self-accusations.
Self-accusations such as,
"Dallas, you should know better."
"Dallas, you have so little faith!"
"Dallas, you've been here before...haven't you learned your lesson yet?!"
Then, the spiral takes me to a deeper place.
From self-accusation to self-hatred.
Self-hatred leads to thoughts such as:
"Well, this is why you're still here because you are faithless."
"No wonder God has yet to utilize you... it is because your personal character is lacking."
"You are the worst human being alive!"
Then, the self-hatred spirals into self-indulgence.
I just want to sleep. Lay around. Not do anything creative.
I stress easily. I anger more easily. I spiral deeper and deeper.
Worship is hard.
Bible-reading is painful.
Prayer is nearly impossible.
My imminent God, whom I love dearly, seems so distant.
The dark night of my soul continues as my energy plummets from all of my in-fighting.
The cave around me darkens.
My nails are crusted with mud and dirt from clawing at the walls of my soul.
Then, the self-hatred spirals further into self-abhorrence.
None of my tricks, my lifelines such as prayer and worship, are working.
I try and get creative, knowing that creativity such as writing usually works for me.
This time, it doesn't. The rope of creativity is too short as well.
Plus, I have no energy to pull myself up creatively... I've been fighting for too long.
And the self-abhorrence continues because "I should be more mature than this!!"
There are so many billions of people in worse situations than me. I have no right to act like this.
"Dallas, you are so selfish, so indulgent, so weak. You puny, tiny, little man!!!"
I've been in a passionate relationship with Christ for the better part of my life.
My spiritual maturity should allow me to pull myself up from my proverbial boot-straps; and I should, by faith, be able to walk out of this DDP cave and into the glorious light of my salvation. RIGHT???!!!
Wrong. That thought just makes me feel worse.
My failings as a flawed human, coupled with my failings as a redeemed Christian, cause me to spiral further.
Self-abhorrence spirals into self-detestation.
The scary part is: I'm not sure what lies beneath self-detestation, but I fear that I may soon find out.
I'm unsure that I have made clear to you the stark reality of this emotional chasm.
I've been in this state for weeks now, actually a month.
(Please pray for Meg...she is over it.)
The problem with my DDP is that it is an overwhelming place of second-, triple-, and even quadruple-guessing my thoughts, motivations, faith, problems, weaknesses, etc., etc., etc.
Please understand: this is more than just melancholy thoughts of "oh-what-a-bad-day-woe-is-me" nonsensical thinking that is brushed away by a single prayer or a good comedy movie.
Also, it's more than just an adult version of a temper-tantrum.
It's a brutal place of spiraling brokenness from which there is no easy repentance nor easy escape.
The DDP is a continual descent from plateau to plateau, each one caused by the other.
The cycle is vicious, and I have a hard time breaking it.
This DDP journey, in particular, has been especially brutal.
Here is how the spiral works for me:
I begin to self-doubt --- talents, abilities, destiny, future, whatever it may be.
Then, my self-doubt spirals into self-loathing because "I KNOW BETTER!"
Then, my self-loathing spirals further into self-accusations.
Self-accusations such as,
"Dallas, you should know better."
"Dallas, you have so little faith!"
"Dallas, you've been here before...haven't you learned your lesson yet?!"
Then, the spiral takes me to a deeper place.
From self-accusation to self-hatred.
Self-hatred leads to thoughts such as:
"Well, this is why you're still here because you are faithless."
"No wonder God has yet to utilize you... it is because your personal character is lacking."
"You are the worst human being alive!"
Then, the self-hatred spirals into self-indulgence.
I just want to sleep. Lay around. Not do anything creative.
I stress easily. I anger more easily. I spiral deeper and deeper.
Worship is hard.
Bible-reading is painful.
Prayer is nearly impossible.
My imminent God, whom I love dearly, seems so distant.
The dark night of my soul continues as my energy plummets from all of my in-fighting.
The cave around me darkens.
My nails are crusted with mud and dirt from clawing at the walls of my soul.
Then, the self-hatred spirals further into self-abhorrence.
None of my tricks, my lifelines such as prayer and worship, are working.
I try and get creative, knowing that creativity such as writing usually works for me.
This time, it doesn't. The rope of creativity is too short as well.
Plus, I have no energy to pull myself up creatively... I've been fighting for too long.
And the self-abhorrence continues because "I should be more mature than this!!"
There are so many billions of people in worse situations than me. I have no right to act like this.
"Dallas, you are so selfish, so indulgent, so weak. You puny, tiny, little man!!!"
I've been in a passionate relationship with Christ for the better part of my life.
My spiritual maturity should allow me to pull myself up from my proverbial boot-straps; and I should, by faith, be able to walk out of this DDP cave and into the glorious light of my salvation. RIGHT???!!!
Wrong. That thought just makes me feel worse.
My failings as a flawed human, coupled with my failings as a redeemed Christian, cause me to spiral further.
Self-abhorrence spirals into self-detestation.
The scary part is: I'm not sure what lies beneath self-detestation, but I fear that I may soon find out.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
More Letters From The DDP
The cave: endless.
The darkness: overwhelming.
The air: stifling.
The only sound: the cry of my soul.
Which cries are mine? Which are just echoes of past screams?
How many days?
How many nights?
How many weeks?
Lost. Senseless. Causeless.
Where is light?
Which way is up?
Wait.
Breathe.
Up?
Breathe.
Up is the opposite direction of my flowing tears.
How far have I fallen?
How far have I descended?
How far upward must I now climb?
How long will this continue?
How faithless am I?
The darkness: overwhelming.
The air: stifling.
The only sound: the cry of my soul.
Which cries are mine? Which are just echoes of past screams?
How many days?
How many nights?
How many weeks?
Lost. Senseless. Causeless.
Where is light?
Which way is up?
Wait.
Breathe.
Up?
Breathe.
Up is the opposite direction of my flowing tears.
How far have I fallen?
How far have I descended?
How far upward must I now climb?
How long will this continue?
How faithless am I?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Is It Really That "Awesome"?
(this one is a rant --- so get ready)
I'm calling us out... our culture overuses the word, "awesome."
We do. Period.
Every single day, I hear the word, "awesome" used in the most mundane ways.
"That episode of [name of show] was awesome."
"What an awesome car [referencing a '78 Yugo]!"
"This turkey sandwich is awesome."
Really? Really?
Are any of these things really "awesome"?
Do they truly inspire awe in you? (okay, maybe the '78 Yugo)
But, did that turkey sandwich really make you fall to your knees in wonder and amazement?
Did it?
Huh?
Did it?
The spicy mustard couldn't have been that good.
Start to pay attention to how often you say it. How often are you misusing the word, "awesome" in the course of a week or a month?
Here's an experiment: instead of the word "awesome", what if we substitute it with another word --- say, "cantstandarific"...?
"That concert was cantstandarific! I can't stand, it was so terrific!"
I think that would work for me: "cantstandarific."
Then, we could reserve the word "awesome" for the things that truly deserve it:
A sunset revealing the grandeur of nature or a worship experience where the Presence of God is palpable, etc., etc., etc.
Let "awesome" be more than cool.
Let "awesome" be inspiring, breathtaking, sweeping, epic.
You know; let "awesome" be awesome!
The English language is already cheap enough. Could we reserve just a few words for their actual intended meaning? Could we keep the purity of some descriptions to their original essence?
Wow --- that would be cantstandarific!
PS - don't even think about using the word "awesome" in the comments section...HaHaHa!
I'm calling us out... our culture overuses the word, "awesome."
We do. Period.
Every single day, I hear the word, "awesome" used in the most mundane ways.
"That episode of [name of show] was awesome."
"What an awesome car [referencing a '78 Yugo]!"
"This turkey sandwich is awesome."
Really? Really?
Are any of these things really "awesome"?
Do they truly inspire awe in you? (okay, maybe the '78 Yugo)
But, did that turkey sandwich really make you fall to your knees in wonder and amazement?
Did it?
Huh?
Did it?
The spicy mustard couldn't have been that good.
Start to pay attention to how often you say it. How often are you misusing the word, "awesome" in the course of a week or a month?
Here's an experiment: instead of the word "awesome", what if we substitute it with another word --- say, "cantstandarific"...?
"That concert was cantstandarific! I can't stand, it was so terrific!"
I think that would work for me: "cantstandarific."
Then, we could reserve the word "awesome" for the things that truly deserve it:
A sunset revealing the grandeur of nature or a worship experience where the Presence of God is palpable, etc., etc., etc.
Let "awesome" be more than cool.
Let "awesome" be inspiring, breathtaking, sweeping, epic.
You know; let "awesome" be awesome!
The English language is already cheap enough. Could we reserve just a few words for their actual intended meaning? Could we keep the purity of some descriptions to their original essence?
Wow --- that would be cantstandarific!
PS - don't even think about using the word "awesome" in the comments section...HaHaHa!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Deep Dark Place (and knowing better)
I often find myself in what Meg and I refer to as my Deep Dark Place (by way of biographical information, I should tell you that I must capitalize the name of the aforementioned Location because said Location demands personification)
The Deep Dark Place (hereafter referred to as DDP) is a pit of self-loathing and self-doubt. DDP is the archenemy of every narcissus --- of which I am one, thank you very much --- and every narcissus reading this knows what I am talking about.
DDP is that crippling, debilitating sense of inner turmoil that gnaws at my every victory and scorns my every defeat. In my highest moments, DDP is there to remind me of my lowest depths. When working to better myself, DDP looks me in the mirror and points out my flaws. DDP is villainous in his pursuit of my every confident thought.
Now, some might say that DDP is just my coping mechanism, nothing more than a healthy sense of humility that should be directed in a more positive and constructive manner; others might add that DDP is a sinful outpouring of my out-of-control ego, easily defeated with a repentant turn. Yet, while both solutions may be inherently true, these cursory dismissals fail to capture the complexity of my soul, the breadth of my humanity.
In short, DDP is the yawning chasm whose hellish teeth are chomping to devour the very essence of who I am.
(This is the darkness in me that my poor wife has to live with, people. Sorry, Meg)
And yet... I know better.
I am a failure, and yet...
I know that I have victory through Christ.
I am a loser, and yet...
I have overcome by the blood of the Lamb.
I hate my reflection in the mirror, and yet...
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I fear losses at every turn, and yet...
I see the Lord's Providence miraculously provide.
I feel aimless in my life, and yet...
I have a destiny.
I feel alone, and yet...
I am surrounded by loving family and friends.
I despise Time and the passing of my life, and yet...
I know that God commands my days.
I am disquieted, and yet... still... always...
I hope in God.
The Deep Dark Place (hereafter referred to as DDP) is a pit of self-loathing and self-doubt. DDP is the archenemy of every narcissus --- of which I am one, thank you very much --- and every narcissus reading this knows what I am talking about.
DDP is that crippling, debilitating sense of inner turmoil that gnaws at my every victory and scorns my every defeat. In my highest moments, DDP is there to remind me of my lowest depths. When working to better myself, DDP looks me in the mirror and points out my flaws. DDP is villainous in his pursuit of my every confident thought.
Now, some might say that DDP is just my coping mechanism, nothing more than a healthy sense of humility that should be directed in a more positive and constructive manner; others might add that DDP is a sinful outpouring of my out-of-control ego, easily defeated with a repentant turn. Yet, while both solutions may be inherently true, these cursory dismissals fail to capture the complexity of my soul, the breadth of my humanity.
In short, DDP is the yawning chasm whose hellish teeth are chomping to devour the very essence of who I am.
(This is the darkness in me that my poor wife has to live with, people. Sorry, Meg)
And yet... I know better.
I am a failure, and yet...
I know that I have victory through Christ.
I am a loser, and yet...
I have overcome by the blood of the Lamb.
I hate my reflection in the mirror, and yet...
I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
I fear losses at every turn, and yet...
I see the Lord's Providence miraculously provide.
I feel aimless in my life, and yet...
I have a destiny.
I feel alone, and yet...
I am surrounded by loving family and friends.
I despise Time and the passing of my life, and yet...
I know that God commands my days.
I am disquieted, and yet... still... always...
I hope in God.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Playing Catch Up (not Ketchup)
Well...it's been a while since I've posted a blog here, and I don't really have a good reason...well, a couple good reasons, but explaining those reasons is not the reason for this blog.
However, I figured I'd play a little catch-up with you.
Since we last spoke:
1. The trailer for my animated movie project, X-Treme Squirrels, is continuing to get traction. If you haven't watched it in a while, I'm going to shamelessly plug it now and ask that you watch it again. (click here to watch). Please feel free to pass the youtube link along to all of your friends. (hint/hint/wink/wink/nudge/nudge/please/please/etc/etc/)
2. My grandfather, Jimmie Lybarger Sr., passed away. We were able to return home for the funeral. Lots of the family got to meet Lex for the first time. Though it was a sad occasion to return home, it was still a great trip. My mother wrote an amazing article for the local newspaper and it is posted on her website, which you can visit here.
Also, while I'm shamelessly plugging family things, you may want to check out my sister Dawn's blog over at Starkacres. She has a tremendous entry up right now entitled, "Someday".
3. Lex is 4 months old ALREADY!!! I can't believe it! Below are some pics of our little man as well as a torturous video of him getting some shots today...HaHa! Meg thinks I'm cruel for posting this --- as I'm sure most of you will as well, and I'll definitely hear about it in your comments. (ROTFL!!!!)
Much Love to you all...
However, I figured I'd play a little catch-up with you.
Since we last spoke:
1. The trailer for my animated movie project, X-Treme Squirrels, is continuing to get traction. If you haven't watched it in a while, I'm going to shamelessly plug it now and ask that you watch it again. (click here to watch). Please feel free to pass the youtube link along to all of your friends. (hint/hint/wink/wink/nudge/nudge/please/please/etc/etc/)
2. My grandfather, Jimmie Lybarger Sr., passed away. We were able to return home for the funeral. Lots of the family got to meet Lex for the first time. Though it was a sad occasion to return home, it was still a great trip. My mother wrote an amazing article for the local newspaper and it is posted on her website, which you can visit here.
Also, while I'm shamelessly plugging family things, you may want to check out my sister Dawn's blog over at Starkacres. She has a tremendous entry up right now entitled, "Someday".
3. Lex is 4 months old ALREADY!!! I can't believe it! Below are some pics of our little man as well as a torturous video of him getting some shots today...HaHa! Meg thinks I'm cruel for posting this --- as I'm sure most of you will as well, and I'll definitely hear about it in your comments. (ROTFL!!!!)
Much Love to you all...
 |
| On our way to the Circus!!! |
 |
| At the Circus watching the clowns w/Mom! |
 |
| Playing "Airplane" with Mommy |
 |
| Laughing with Nana while playing Superman! |
 |
| Look at that face! Honestly, is this not an adorable little kid?!?!?! |
And now, for the video of Lex getting his shots...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
VIDEO: The TEASER for My Movie
Hey friends, here is the link for the trailer for my movie, X-TREME SQUIRRELS.(click here to watch it)
I wanted to share it with you. We are just at the beginning stages as, now that this video, the script, the website and the pitch packet are put together, I am going to begin pitching this story to Hollywood execs and studios.
I passionately believe in this project, in this story, in this movie, and I can't wait to get it into production.
I would ask that you do 4 things for me, please.
1) Please watch the video. (haha...the more hits and views I get, the better my strategy for going to the studios...and I fully recommend watching the HD version)
2) Please forward it to as many friends as possibe. Here is the direct link that you can copy and paste in your emails: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbBly_P8U8Y
3) Please pray that this be seen by the right people in Hollywood (ie: agents, studio heads, star attachment deals, etc.). I have a prayer list of people that I want to get this in front of, but I don't want to share those names here. However, I just want this to get a good "buzz" going in the community.
4) If you know anyone in the industry (no matter who), please forward this on to them with a "big recommend."
Thanks so much, and enjoy the trailer!
~Dallas
I wanted to share it with you. We are just at the beginning stages as, now that this video, the script, the website and the pitch packet are put together, I am going to begin pitching this story to Hollywood execs and studios.
I passionately believe in this project, in this story, in this movie, and I can't wait to get it into production.
I would ask that you do 4 things for me, please.
1) Please watch the video. (haha...the more hits and views I get, the better my strategy for going to the studios...and I fully recommend watching the HD version)
2) Please forward it to as many friends as possibe. Here is the direct link that you can copy and paste in your emails: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbBly_P8U8Y
3) Please pray that this be seen by the right people in Hollywood (ie: agents, studio heads, star attachment deals, etc.). I have a prayer list of people that I want to get this in front of, but I don't want to share those names here. However, I just want this to get a good "buzz" going in the community.
4) If you know anyone in the industry (no matter who), please forward this on to them with a "big recommend."
Thanks so much, and enjoy the trailer!
~Dallas
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