The Problem: If both Iran and Iraq do not blockade the Persian Gulf provided that either Saudi Arabia or Syria does not increase military spending, then if Syria does not mobilize in case that Israel settles with Jordan, then Egypt will not develop nuclear weapons

turns into

Simple Statements:
A: Iran blockades the Persian Gulf.
B: Iraq blockades the Persian Gulf.
C: Saudi Arabia increases military spending.
D: Syria increases military spending.
E: Syria mobilizes.
F: Israel settles with Jordan.
G: Egypt will develop nuclear weapons.

Now we find the . . .

Ordinary English Operators: if _ then _ ; both _ and _ ; not _ ; _ provided that _ ; either _ or _ ; not _ ; if _ then _ ; _ in case that _ ; not _

And now, what is the . . .

Main Operator: the first “if _ then _”

Then, we symbolizes the whole thing, starting with . . .

Partial Symbolization: If both not A and not B, provided that either not C or not D, then if not E in case that F, then not G.

(Confused yet?)

Finally, we fully symbolize it

[(~C v ~D) ⊃ (~A . ~B)] ⊃ [(F ⊃ ~E) ⊃ ~G]

Try that one Shafer!!! My head is mush by the end of a few of these, but the test it tomorrow then I can become a human again.

One.Love

cd

My goal was to get a rig together that would help me get the tone I want, be easily portable, and would be good for leading with. I finally landed on a silver Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet hardtail. I read tons and tons of reviews and talked to owners and they are all very satisfied with how it sounds and how well it takes overdrives and can still be clean as well. And, its got a great price tag on it.

For my amp/pedal situation, I decided a long time ago I was gonna go with the POD X3 Live. I have been impressed with how well the amps were sampled and the amount of control you have over all the effects and amps. Also, acoustics sound great coming through this because they have great pre-amps as well, such as an Avalon.

So, thats the deal. Hopefully they’ll all come together in the next few weeks. I’m excited to start sheddin (thanks Theo) and getting a little more toned with the break I have coming up from school and such. I’ll let you know more as I learn about these guys, but its gonna be a good day when it all gets in.

One.Love

cd

It’s like telling a kid to share without showing them first hand. They have heard that sharing is good and they need to do it, but they can’t do it if they aren’t shown it.

Thats how I feel. Frustrated and just a little bit lost. Now don’t hear me say that I don’t agree with the Bible about how important it is to fear the Lord, or that it doesn’t show me how to do so. Actually, tonight I found just the opposite.

I was reading in Proverbs 2 and verses 1-5 paint a great outline for the basis of understanding the fear of the Lord. Solomon gives us five quick points that if we follow and pursue, then we will understand the fear of the Lord.

1. If you accept my words
- Just listen and take in wisdom that is spoken to you.

2. Store up my commands within you
- Internalize all the boundaries and guidelines that the Bible has given us.

3. Apply your heart to understanding
- When seeking to interpret scripture or anything of God, put your heart into it. Make it something you truly desire.

4. Call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding
- Seek insight and wisdom from mentors, disciplers, or leaders in your church about your life’s situations. Don’t hold these things in your heart, because the Bible tells us that the wise seek wise counsel.

5. Look for it (wisdom/understanding) as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure
- Hold wisdom and understanding as important, and more so, as anything worldly thing we could want.

Then, once we pursue and desire all of these things, it says that you will understand the fear of the Lord. I may not know what it looks like specifically in my life to fear the Lord, but I know where to start.

Do you know what it looks like to fear the Lord in your life? I’d love to hear what you think that looks like.

One.Love

cd

Got it? . . . Good.

Now, didn’t we all hear that word growing up in movies and stuff. The really edgy kid who wants to do something bad to look cool would say this to the kinda nerdy kid who doesn’t want to drink beer or get in trouble. Think Judd Nelson talking to Molly Ringwald in “The Breakfast Club”.

No one wants to be the prude.

Why?

No one wants to be left out . . . but that’s another post entirely.

My point is this: I think that our view of prudence is vastly different than its original intent. We have taken this concept, that could save us a lot of trouble if we gave it some weight in our lives, and made it into something that isn’t desired. Why do I bring this up? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Proverbs 1:3-4
[In reference to seeking/attaining wisdom}
“(3)for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; (4) for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.”

Think back to your definition of prudent. Maybe you though of phrases like “No Fun” or “Lame” or maybe a good ole’ fashioned “Stick in the Mud”. Whatever your definition was, it probably doesn’t have a positive connotation. Here’s what it really means:

Prudent - acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

Interesting.

There’s no mention of missing out on things, or letting fun/mischievous events pass us by. Having prudence in our lives means that we are living with regard to our future. The decisions we make today effect where we are down the road, and prudence means that we are all to aware of this.

Solomon mentions this word twice, very closely together. This has got to be a point he wants us to really take hold of. He has seen how little decisions can become something that we didn’t see back when. To seek wisdom is, then, to seek prudence. To always consider, “In light of my future, what is the wise thing to do?”.

So, I urge you to take a few minutes and consider your future. Don’t try to control it or plan every detail, but think about the man/woman you want to become and think about what needs to happen for you to get there. Then, begin to live your life in such a way that will aid in your walk there.

One.Love

cd