feb 27, 1937. ayn rand :

Incidental question : a librarian writing about library building, insists that libraries must be made to look as accessible to the public as possible--to "bring the library nearer to the people." "Spacious and inviting entrances are placed at grade level, close to the public thoroughfare, with as few steps as possible between the pedestrian and the building."

This may be quite sound in relation to library architecture, but the question it raises, in a more general sense, is this : is it advisable to spread out all the conveniences of culture before people to whom a few steps up a stair to a library is a sufficient deterrent from reading?

i love that notion.
why do we try to force what we think is "good" and "advisable" down people's throats?
epitome : learn creative thinking.

regarding the library--
what of the disabled?
where is the line of "few steps" drawn?
should we be putting more steps in just to make sure the library only gets those earnest enough to scale the (literal) heights toward knowledge?

Fall Concert 2005 : New Season

Holy is the Lamb

Worthy, is the Lamb
Worthy, Him that was slain for the world
Worthy, is the Lamb
That was slain for the sins of the world (x2)

Precious, is the Lamb
Precious, that laid down His life for the world
Precious, is the Lamb
That was slain for the sins of the world (x2)

Holy, is the Lamb
Holy, His blood that was shed for the world
Holy, is the Lamb
That was slain for the sins of the world (x2)

(Vamp)
Worthy, is the Lamb (x2)
Precious, is the Lamb (x2)
Holy, is the Lamb (x2)


God's Will is What I Want

(Chorus)
God's will is what I want for my life
God's will is what I want for my life

I'll do what You want me to do
I'll say what you want me to say
I'll go where you want me to go
God's will is what I want for my life

I'll give up every fault
I'll sing Your praise forevermore
I'll be what You want me to be
God's will is what I want for my life

(Vamp)
God's will is what I want
God's will is what I want
God's will is what I want
For my life
(transpositions)


Trust and Obey

God's a new thang (thing :] ) He's gonna do for you
He's already promised He's gonna see us through
God's got a new thang He's gonna do for you
If you trust and obey
(repeats)

(Vamp)
He's gonna bring you out
He's gonna make it alright

If you trust Him, trust Him
If you trust Him, trust Him

If you trust and obey


Lord, Just Be Pleased

What if God is unhappy with our praise?
What is He is not pleased with the way we live?
What if He takes away His love, and His spirit from above;
What if God is unhappy with the way we praise?

What if God is not happy with the way we live?
What if He is not pleased with the way we give?
What if He takes away His love, and His spirit from above;
What if God is unhappy with the way we live?

We must change the way we walk,
We must change the way we talk,
We must live a life that's pleasing to our King;
We must read God's Holy word,
Let His praises be heard;
Lord, just be pleased with the way we live

(Vamp)
Lord, just be pleased (repeats)
Lord just be pleased with the way we live

my persistent lover.

so it was, years ago, when i was lying in a drunken stupor for 3 hours when my dad found me.
i was the son of a pastor, a seminary leader, and i had been perpetually high for 3 months now.
jobless, not attending college or anything, i had found a group of friends.
we got a kick out of it.
a kick out of hash, out of booze.
one night, when i came home drunk and high--this was the first time my dad saw this, although he knew what i had been up to--he told me that he loved me, and that nothing i did would change his love for me.
he also told me, though, that i couldn't keep doing this.
i could not be allowed to do this in this family's home.

baseline, it seemed, he was telling me to get out.
i didn't though; he didn't force me either.

more weeks passed, still the same old stupor, the same old drunkenness.
one night, i came home to find my dad sitting out on the porch, waiting up for me.
of course, i was drunk.
he said to me: you know i love you, and i always will. because i love you, i've changed the locks. if you want a key, you have to obey the rules of this family.
i took some of my things, stole my dad's wallet, and ran.

for the next three months, i stayed in a house with the rest of my friends.
the night of my first birthday away from home, i was--as usual--drunk and passed out. everyone was, i suppose, drunk or unconscious.
my dad came into the room.
the room littered with beer cans, with open pizza boxes, with rotting food.
the front door of the house had been wide open.
i lay where i was, a girl knocked out beside me, afraid of what my dad would do.
would he kick and scream, would be take my head and shake me awake?
i pretended to be asleep.

he just stood there, for a really long time, and looked at me.
i wondered what he was thinking.
then he came over, knelt down.
he kissed my forehead.
kissed me tenderly.
and then he left.


the story of a wayward youth, with a persistent lover for a father.
eventually, he went back to college, got a degree, and chose to go to the seminary.
he's now a pastor.
many years later, his dad asked him what turned him around.
he told him the story.


what a heart He has.
to love one who has so grievously hurt Him, who intentionally defies and disappoints him.
no greater love, indeed.