Category: Personal

I “filled up” today. Yeah right! Filled up!!!??! I don’t think so. Look at those prices. And I wasn’t buying the super gas either, just the normal unleaded! Geeze! Can you believe it? I should’ve taken a picture of my gas gauge while I was at it. I seriously only got 3/4 of a tank. What a bummer.

Enough about that.. but I just got out of my Philosophy class about an hour ago and we watched a little of Micheal Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11.” That’s an interesting piece of work. I really don’t want to make too many comments about it at this time, but I will say that the rumors are truly. It is a highly deceptive film. It’ll be interesting when we watch the rebuttle on Monday “FahrenHYPE 9/11.” I know that I’m about a year behind everyone on this stuff, but that’s ok.. I’m not on the up and up I guess.

Tonight I have lot going on. Studying for my Human Anatomy Exam, Youth Group, meeting with one my classes, and more studying. So I guess that’s all in a nutshell. See yah.

I was thinking maybe I could do a Sunday devotional since today is the Lord’s day. Maybe just recap what I learned in church this morning.

We have been studying the book of James in our Sunday morning services and it has been a great study thus far. Today we were hitting on Chapter 2:25-26. My pastor did a great job of finishing the topic of faith and works which is what the second part of chapter 2 is talking about. Really, if you look at the book it lays out four examples of people of the faith in times past that have had a balance of their faith and works. Specifically we talked about the fourth example this morning of Rahab and how she hid the spies in faith that she would be protected (see Joshua 2 for the whole story of “Rahab’s Courageous Act”). But it was her faith that was put in to action with the work that she did in hiding the spies that Joshua had sent out. Scott, my pastor said this, “Faith comes first, then works.”

The basic point this morning had two parts, and it really sums up the entire subject of faith and works.
1. That it is by grace we have been saved, through faith, in Christ. (Eph. 2:8-9, Acts 16:31)
2. Salvation by faith alone, is never alone! We can profess to know the Savior, but with no works, it is dead! (James 2:14,18,20, and 26)

If we are professing believers our lives should look like it. We can not profess to know Jesus Christ, and not do what he says in the Word of God.

These are great truths for the church to be reminded of.

I saw this on the road the other day.

It’s not everyday you are driving down the street and all of a sudden a huge train comes rolling by. It was seriously a weird thing. I was flippin’ out about it, and my roommate was in the car with me. It’s a good thing I had my camera handy so I could snap a quick pic for all you kids.. anyways.. I hope that is amusing to you..

Secondly (because I like to list things by numbers), I preached today at school. It was pretty crazy. It actually has kind of taken up my life for the past couple of weeks. But I thought it went pretty well considering everything. Now my only job is to get caught back up in school. I know that sounds bad, but it seriously has been out of control. I am glad that I was able to be used that way though. It was so cool having so many people praying for me and encouraging me, seriously rad.

But I’ve gotta get going to youth group tonight, but I hope your days are going well, talk to you soon!

It’s seriously been an awesome weekend. I had the oppurtunity to lead music with a couple of guys from my church at our men’s retreat this weekend. Such a good time! It actually wasn’t just guys from my church that were there, but other baptist churches around southern California. I’d say there were about 80 guys total, and it was just fun to be around all the older men and just to glean some spiritual wisdom from them.

The place we went was pretty fun in that it was a ranch. So, being a city kid, it was exceptionally fun for me. Well, I guess the truth is that I’m not a city kid totally. I mean, I grew up with horses and stuff at my house. At times we even had pigs, lambs, and a cow (for a short time). But all that to say I think I kind of went the other way as far as the country stuff goes. I didn’t really get into the horseback riding and rodeo thing… anyways.. It was really just a short weekend trip that insisted of three sessions, shooting guns, and just hanging out with guys. Really was a great way to start spring break.

I’m looking forward to having this next week off. It will be good for me to just get some sleep and to be working a few extra hours. Got a lot of homework to catch up on and I’m hoping not to waste my time this week so that I can do what the Lord would have me to do! Hope you kids are doing well.. here’s some pics for you to check out from this weekend!

the cows were a highlight.

this peacock was kind of fun..

such a guy thing to do… the last time I shot a gun it basically broke my nose (I was five)

figured you needed a second shot of my manhood

what?.. what’s the problem?..

babies are fun..

saw this barn on the side of the road.. only, it was in water

No, I’m not saying goodbye, it’s just the title of the final record from one of my favorite bands of all time, a band called Bleach. Yesterday I went and bought it. It’s been a sad couple of days as I have thought back through my life from junior high on. That’s when I bought the first Bleach CD. They have a total of six albums and I own them all. I never actually got to see them live, because the one time I was going to do so I basically broke my leg in a soccer game (to the point where I had to have an ambulance come to the field). It was my freshman year in high school. But I still went to the show that was over an hour and a half away. We missed Bleach, but we got to hang out with them for a couple of hours which was just as cool; now that’s punk rock.

The final song called “Farewell Old Friends” is really a song for anyone who has liked this band at one point. Though I don’t intend to do a review of this record, I am saying that the lyrics to that song have definitely made me a bit emotional the past few days. We don’t talk like that anymore, “Farewell Old Friends,” do we? It’s more of a 1700’s saying in my mind. But I must say that it is a sad day in the life Christian music. I can officially say that I have been alive and enjoyed the entire life of a band, and a band that is committed to Jesus Christ. Who is your favorite band, maybe a band that has impacted you, or that you just enjoy when everyone else might not?

So though I’ll be back sooner than later, this is in memory of my favorite band:

“Farewell old friends, this has been the best it could have been, farewell old friends, and we won’t forget the times we spent, as for me and my countrymen, we are headed out to sea, and there’s no way that this is the end for them, or for me… so farewell. for now farewell, this has been a tale, we hope you tell. don’t forget what we’ve become, and the training’s worth the time it took, now that it is done. when the waves they come crashing in, will I withstand and sing? there is nothing for us to fear, we’re in the service of the Good King. the Good King. so farewell, farewell, old friends, farewell, farewell, farewell, old friends..”

– Bleach (1996-2005)

I bet you’ve heard that before. I know, I’ve been bad this week. Been a long week just trying to get my life in order after Winter Camp with my church this weekend. Overall I thought the weekend went well and the high school and junior high students had a really enjoyable time.

So summer’s here. The rain is gone and the sun has come. I feel great. Not that I don’t feel great when the rain is here, I just get so excited when summer comes. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I am a summer baby; or maybe not? Hopefully I’ll be taking some pics this week and put them on shaycam. I am not sure of what, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out.

Listening to a really awesome song right now called “Jesus I My Cross Have Taken.” It’s an old hymn with 6 verses. Check it out online sometime if you get a chance. See ya later.

“This is Shay Thomason reporting live on StormWatch 2005.”
So.. you’ve all heard about these crazy storms we’ve been having in southern cali. it’s been so awesome. I have never seen so much water in my entire life. If I wasn’t so worried about my camera getting soaked I would try to get a picture in the rain. But I don’t have an umbrella. I’m a SoCal kid, we don’t carry umbrellas with us.

Anyways, I captured this picture with my camera when there was a cloud break. A few minutes later it started to rain and be sunny at the same time. it was great. also, I just got back from my parents house. when I was driving back the rain was so crazy. I seriously thought the 210 freeway was a river. no joke, this thing was nuts. then when we got to the 5 freeway, it was a lake. as of right now I’m sitting in my room and I hear the rain pounding on the roof and I love it. I love rain. rain rain on my face. I love it. ok, time for bed for me. hopefully they will cancel classes tomorrow. now I know what you’re thinking “Shay, you don’t have class tomorrow, it’s Presidents day.” well.. I’ve already thought of that, but we DO have class. we don’t take that holiday off. but, maybe God will give it to us anyways. ok peace out.

that’s what my philosophy professor said today. I thought it was so counter what we were learning and that it was great! “Smart People Disagree.” Talk about an understatement. He was being very serious when he said it, and it makes me laugh. that’s all.

how’s your valentines day? I’ve had kind of a rough day. Wish I could go back and start over, but that’s life I guess. wish sometimes I would just close my mouth. that’s all I can handle for one post. hope your dates go well.

I appreciate everyone for living me a comment! That was very nice of you. Even you Anonymous, though I am sorry that I make you upset, if there is anyway for me to make it right with you, I will do it. I would ask that maybe you could leave me a comment if/when I make you mad. That way I might be able to clear up anything that was confusing. My heart isn’t to divide and conquer, or say things just to make people mad. I hope you know that, whoever you are.

I just spent some time reading a book that I think is a must have for any Christian that is struggling with the spiritual disciplines of being a disciple of Christ. It’s really just a devotional book and I think you might check it out. It’s called “Disciplines for life” by C.J. Mahaney and John Loftness. It’s really a good book for your quiet time. check it out, I think you’ll enjoy it.

It’s been an good Saturday. I was at 3:40am to be at work by 4:15, and I had a good shift. The sun finally came out today and that was nice. I enjoyed driving with my window down as I came home today. Rockin’ out in my car to my music, lovin’ it. Alright, I’m off to Target to get some stuff that I’ve been planning on getting for a week. I just got paid yesterday so that’s why I had to wait! It’s funny how I work all the time and really never see where that money goes. ok.. you kids have a good weekend.. rock on.

I guess no one comes to my site anymore. I talk up shaycam.com like I get 1,000 hits a day, but in actuality I think I am writing for myself. It’s like a private blog. I’m only saying this because I haven’t had that many repsonses to my journals in a while. maybe it’s because they have been more on the serious side of things, but I was hoping more people would post comments. If could just please post me a comment and tell me you’re reading this that would bring back my enthusiasm. it’s not that I’m sad or anything, I just want to make sure you kids are still alive.

so… post me something… or I might be sad. ok bye