There is a part of life, a big part, which is so unexplainable. There are feelings we just cannot express completely in words. There are actions that do not have a legitimate reason in words but make complete sense in our hearts and mind. We have logic and common sense to guide us in so many of our routine decisions, but there is always this field of unknown that leads us, guides us and controls us.
It is that feeling you get before a huge game. What is that? A competitive spirit, not knowing what is going to happen, but excited to tackle whatever comes your way.
It is that feeling that money does not matter. That the thing you are about to do cannot have a price tag. It is like one of my friends flying to London for the weekend to see his girlfriend.
It is that rumbling in your heart that leads you to randomly talk to a stranger. That desire to decide against the logical and choose the radical.
What is IT? I cannot describe IT fully? It may be love. But then who can describe love.
Love is more than just kind words or a romantic moment. It is more than an intimate situation or deep conversation. It lasts longer than that. Love is consistent. Love is the feeling to give a stranger a hug because you have a connection with them. Love is seeing someone you have not seen in five months and thinking that it was just yesterday when everyone was together.
But I still have not come close to describing love. Maybe 1 John 4:8 will give some insight “…because God is love.”
Well, good luck to the person who wants to try and fully describe God.
Friday, February 3, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
My King (Remix)
I know I already let you all know about the speech by SM Lockridge. However, I just found this new site that actually has a video to go along with it. And it is only about three minutes long. So for those of you who were too busy to listen to the six minutes, try this out. It is totally worth your time. Just click here. (And if you haven't noticed, I just learned how to include links and pictures!) The picture is of SM Lockridge.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The Beauty of Simplicity
While I have been at home this break, I have been pondering the simple things in life. So often, I get caught up in immersing myself in complicated issues, discussions, arguments, and ideas. While these events are needed and beneficial for proper maturity, I often lose sight of the most important, yet simple, aspects of it all.
In the spiritual sense, it is so easy to get caught up in current, “hot-button” issues that are fun, interesting, and exciting. Finding a faith-based conversation on homosexuality, the death penalty, abortion, or whatever else is simple. However, how difficult it is to talk about the source and foundation of that faith. Why am I not digging deep into the well of the simple yet deep GRACE of Jesus Christ? How often I lose sight of my sin and superficially take God’s grace as atonement?
See, the ugliness of losing sight of simple yet foundational truths is that these very truths are perceived in a light manner. No longer do we attempt to feel the weight of our sin bearing down. I do not mean this in a way to prevent one from experiencing the freeing grace of Christ. Actually, I mean exactly the opposite. Attempting to understand our very sin helps us appreciate how beautiful and marvelous that saving Grace truly is.
Think of it this way. If you were expecting to get a 95% on a test and your teacher told you that you received a perfect 100% score, you would be pretty excited. On the flip side, if you knew you had earned a 50% failing grade, and your teacher came to you and said that one of your classmates agreed to take the consequence of a failing grade and give you their perfect score, what would your reaction be? My first emotion would be one of questioning. Can he do that? Is it possible? Is it right? After seeing that it is true, legitimate, and possible, I would be so joyous and awestruck. It would not even compare to the excitement I would be feeling if I expected it. At the same time, you would not be able to have that perfect grade unless you accepted it as your own. Just knowing that the offer is there does not mean you actually have the grade. (I know this may not be a perfect example to God’s grace).
People, this is what we have in Christ. We are sinful. We have all done something wrong and these things deserve a failing grade in the test of eternity. However, Jesus Christ, who had a perfect score on the test of eternity agreed to switch grades. He agreed to take the consequence of your sin. He was mocked, beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross. He died in your place. And He gave us a way to reach Heaven, solely through himself. He gave us this free, undeserved gift. It is not enough to just to know that this amazing gift is there. We must all accept it as our own.
In the spiritual sense, it is so easy to get caught up in current, “hot-button” issues that are fun, interesting, and exciting. Finding a faith-based conversation on homosexuality, the death penalty, abortion, or whatever else is simple. However, how difficult it is to talk about the source and foundation of that faith. Why am I not digging deep into the well of the simple yet deep GRACE of Jesus Christ? How often I lose sight of my sin and superficially take God’s grace as atonement?
See, the ugliness of losing sight of simple yet foundational truths is that these very truths are perceived in a light manner. No longer do we attempt to feel the weight of our sin bearing down. I do not mean this in a way to prevent one from experiencing the freeing grace of Christ. Actually, I mean exactly the opposite. Attempting to understand our very sin helps us appreciate how beautiful and marvelous that saving Grace truly is.
Think of it this way. If you were expecting to get a 95% on a test and your teacher told you that you received a perfect 100% score, you would be pretty excited. On the flip side, if you knew you had earned a 50% failing grade, and your teacher came to you and said that one of your classmates agreed to take the consequence of a failing grade and give you their perfect score, what would your reaction be? My first emotion would be one of questioning. Can he do that? Is it possible? Is it right? After seeing that it is true, legitimate, and possible, I would be so joyous and awestruck. It would not even compare to the excitement I would be feeling if I expected it. At the same time, you would not be able to have that perfect grade unless you accepted it as your own. Just knowing that the offer is there does not mean you actually have the grade. (I know this may not be a perfect example to God’s grace).
People, this is what we have in Christ. We are sinful. We have all done something wrong and these things deserve a failing grade in the test of eternity. However, Jesus Christ, who had a perfect score on the test of eternity agreed to switch grades. He agreed to take the consequence of your sin. He was mocked, beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross. He died in your place. And He gave us a way to reach Heaven, solely through himself. He gave us this free, undeserved gift. It is not enough to just to know that this amazing gift is there. We must all accept it as our own.
Thursday, January 5, 2006
My King (Second Post in One Day!)
I have to let you all know about six minutes of speaking that is unparalleled to anything I have ever heard in such short period of time. If you want to know what I am talking about, go to this link (http://www.theiowaharvest.com/harvestholler/archives/000085.html) and download (MyKing.ra).
For those of you who are not Believers in Christ, this short speech will give you a perspective of why people are so passionate about their faith and have such a peace and joy about what they believe in. For those of you who are Believers, this will blow your mind of what you may have already known but never heard in such a concise, passionate way.
Also, there is a separate posting I will have which is right after this. I just thought that these six minutes were important enough to have its own separate posting.
For those of you who are not Believers in Christ, this short speech will give you a perspective of why people are so passionate about their faith and have such a peace and joy about what they believe in. For those of you who are Believers, this will blow your mind of what you may have already known but never heard in such a concise, passionate way.
Also, there is a separate posting I will have which is right after this. I just thought that these six minutes were important enough to have its own separate posting.
Christmas, TCX, True Joy
Look at this, I haven’t posted at all in the last few weeks, and now two postings in one day.
Over the past few weeks, so much has been going on: Christmas, TCX, and perspective changes.
Here are some thoughts from each of those events and other things mixed in. By the way, TCX stands for Twin Cities Experience, which is a Christmas conference through Campus Crusade for Christ. It was in Minneapolis, Minnesota from Dec. 28-Jan. 1 and encompassed 1400 college students from six states.
CHRISTMAS
- I probably have the sweetest family ever.
- This Christmas was special because it was my mom’s 50th birthday a few days earlier. So we all celebrated that together with Christmas.
- Throughout the season, it was great to continually focus on why the world even celebrates Christmas. O Holy Night!
- I am cheating a little bit and still listening to Christmas music.
TCX
- God is Big. He is so much Bigger than I can ever imagine. He is more powerful, graceful, caring, vengeful, peaceful, concerned, in control, wrathful, and loving than I my mind can attempt to absorb.
- I realized what my most prized possession probably is. At TCX I lost my prayer journal that I have been keeping the last four years. It was a journal started my junior year of high school that kept track of prayers. It was so cool to look back and see how God answered them in different ways. The thing about the journal is that I did not realize how important it was until I lost it. What a bummer. I was thinking to myself that I would have rather lost my digital camera or cell phone than my journal. Those precious thoughts, reflections, and pleadings are things that can never be remade or bought.
Going of my journal, think to yourself what truly is your most important possession. It has hit me that I would almost trade my laptop for that journal. Why is it that a few pieces of paper bound my cheap wire that probably cost less than a dollar means so much? It does not make logical sense. But think now, what really is important in life?
So often, it is easy to get caught up in the temporary things of life. Maybe it is the new car, or video game, or TV. But really, what does all that really matter? It seems like there is so much more to life than just material possessions. I am reminded of a perspective someone gave me of the people who were on that plane on 9/11 that went down in PA. When many of the passengers knew that they would only be living for a few more minutes, they all made phone calls to their closest loved ones. Most likely, none of them called their bankers to find out how much money they had. Their thoughts were probably not with the new house they just bought or the new promoted position they obtained at work. No, it was with people, those they would leave behind, or on their eternal savior, Jesus Christ.
It seems like so many things in life are just so meaningless. After their immediate luster and glory, they just fade away into rust and distant thought. For example, today was the NCAA Football National Championship. It was an unbelievable game that was exciting to the very end. But really, who is really going to care about the game five years from now? Ten years?
Why is it as human beings we get so caught up in temporary happiness? Why are we not consumed with the search for eternal, consistent joy? To be honest, I think every human being on earth is constantly trying to find this joy, but most find it in empty places that do not provide true joy. See, the difference between joy and happiness is that joy is the big picture while happiness is how you are feeling in a moment. Many attempt to find joy in clothes, position, money, jobs, sports, competition, friends, relationships, drugs, etc. Ultimately, all these things will fail at one time or another. They cannot provide constant, eternal joy because they are imperfect.
There will always be a new trend in clothes. Someone will always have a higher position, more money, or a better job then you. The essence of sports is that someone wins, and someone else loses. No one always wins. Competition is great, but eventually draining. Friends can turn on you or lose your trust. Relationships are broken. Drugs temporarily cover the troubles of the day, but always bring you back to reality.
I was talking to a guy who was 37 the other day. He is currently an executive pastor at a church. He was telling me that he had it all, a great job, expensive possessions, a wonderful wife and family, and money. But in the end, he was unhappy. He was not fully satisfied.
People, there is only one source of true joy. There is only one person who will never let you down (even when you think He might be). You all just celebrated His birthday. His name is Jesus Christ.
So how can you tap into the ultimate source of all joy? Many may say they know Jesus but it is only intellectual knowledge. Others may say they know Him because they go to church, pray, volunteer, or do good things. But these things of itself do not represent a true relationship with Christ. To accept Him into your life means a yielding of your will. It involves understanding that your sins deserve a penalty, and that is eternal separation from God. It means giving up control of your life and asking Jesus, through prayer, to forgive you of your sins and accepting that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins.
Do not get me wrong. Being a believer in Christ does not mean my life is perfect and I do not have unhappy days. It does not mean that everything goes my way and I get whatever I want. However, the peace that comes with eternal joy and satisfaction is special and indescribable.
If any of you have questions or comments about what I have been talking about, please e-mail me. Here are some great sources to investigate: everygopher.com, www.livingwaters.com/good/.
Over the past few weeks, so much has been going on: Christmas, TCX, and perspective changes.
Here are some thoughts from each of those events and other things mixed in. By the way, TCX stands for Twin Cities Experience, which is a Christmas conference through Campus Crusade for Christ. It was in Minneapolis, Minnesota from Dec. 28-Jan. 1 and encompassed 1400 college students from six states.
CHRISTMAS
- I probably have the sweetest family ever.
- This Christmas was special because it was my mom’s 50th birthday a few days earlier. So we all celebrated that together with Christmas.
- Throughout the season, it was great to continually focus on why the world even celebrates Christmas. O Holy Night!
- I am cheating a little bit and still listening to Christmas music.
TCX
- God is Big. He is so much Bigger than I can ever imagine. He is more powerful, graceful, caring, vengeful, peaceful, concerned, in control, wrathful, and loving than I my mind can attempt to absorb.
- I realized what my most prized possession probably is. At TCX I lost my prayer journal that I have been keeping the last four years. It was a journal started my junior year of high school that kept track of prayers. It was so cool to look back and see how God answered them in different ways. The thing about the journal is that I did not realize how important it was until I lost it. What a bummer. I was thinking to myself that I would have rather lost my digital camera or cell phone than my journal. Those precious thoughts, reflections, and pleadings are things that can never be remade or bought.
Going of my journal, think to yourself what truly is your most important possession. It has hit me that I would almost trade my laptop for that journal. Why is it that a few pieces of paper bound my cheap wire that probably cost less than a dollar means so much? It does not make logical sense. But think now, what really is important in life?
So often, it is easy to get caught up in the temporary things of life. Maybe it is the new car, or video game, or TV. But really, what does all that really matter? It seems like there is so much more to life than just material possessions. I am reminded of a perspective someone gave me of the people who were on that plane on 9/11 that went down in PA. When many of the passengers knew that they would only be living for a few more minutes, they all made phone calls to their closest loved ones. Most likely, none of them called their bankers to find out how much money they had. Their thoughts were probably not with the new house they just bought or the new promoted position they obtained at work. No, it was with people, those they would leave behind, or on their eternal savior, Jesus Christ.
It seems like so many things in life are just so meaningless. After their immediate luster and glory, they just fade away into rust and distant thought. For example, today was the NCAA Football National Championship. It was an unbelievable game that was exciting to the very end. But really, who is really going to care about the game five years from now? Ten years?
Why is it as human beings we get so caught up in temporary happiness? Why are we not consumed with the search for eternal, consistent joy? To be honest, I think every human being on earth is constantly trying to find this joy, but most find it in empty places that do not provide true joy. See, the difference between joy and happiness is that joy is the big picture while happiness is how you are feeling in a moment. Many attempt to find joy in clothes, position, money, jobs, sports, competition, friends, relationships, drugs, etc. Ultimately, all these things will fail at one time or another. They cannot provide constant, eternal joy because they are imperfect.
There will always be a new trend in clothes. Someone will always have a higher position, more money, or a better job then you. The essence of sports is that someone wins, and someone else loses. No one always wins. Competition is great, but eventually draining. Friends can turn on you or lose your trust. Relationships are broken. Drugs temporarily cover the troubles of the day, but always bring you back to reality.
I was talking to a guy who was 37 the other day. He is currently an executive pastor at a church. He was telling me that he had it all, a great job, expensive possessions, a wonderful wife and family, and money. But in the end, he was unhappy. He was not fully satisfied.
People, there is only one source of true joy. There is only one person who will never let you down (even when you think He might be). You all just celebrated His birthday. His name is Jesus Christ.
So how can you tap into the ultimate source of all joy? Many may say they know Jesus but it is only intellectual knowledge. Others may say they know Him because they go to church, pray, volunteer, or do good things. But these things of itself do not represent a true relationship with Christ. To accept Him into your life means a yielding of your will. It involves understanding that your sins deserve a penalty, and that is eternal separation from God. It means giving up control of your life and asking Jesus, through prayer, to forgive you of your sins and accepting that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins.
Do not get me wrong. Being a believer in Christ does not mean my life is perfect and I do not have unhappy days. It does not mean that everything goes my way and I get whatever I want. However, the peace that comes with eternal joy and satisfaction is special and indescribable.
If any of you have questions or comments about what I have been talking about, please e-mail me. Here are some great sources to investigate: everygopher.com, www.livingwaters.com/good/.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Random Thoughts
Every so often, I get in one of those moods where I just feel reaaally mature or deep.
I just thought I would read my bible study leader’s blog, and now I am feeling a deep sense of joy, happiness, along with some unbelief and amazement that has caused me to be taken back. If you want to read the posting of how he became a Christian, it is at www.adamgo.blogspot.com.
Over and Over today, I have been feeling older and older. I know that I am only 21 years old, but it just seems like I am old. It is a bit weird, but I remember feeling like this in high school too. Now I am in college, and feel the same way. Here are some reasons why:
- The last few nights, I have been ready for bed before midnight. Ok, I know that may not seem that old, but man, I remember freshman year thinking that midnight was a good time to start something, like a movie.
- Tonight was Saturday night, and I checked out three board games from my residence hall and played until midnight. That of itself is not old. But we got there at 9:30 and were ready to be done and in bed by 11:30.
- I enjoy peace and quiet. A lot!!! The noise I used to enjoy, I now get annoyed with. I would much rather sit and read a book then watch TV (most of the time).
- Eating dinner at 5:00 p.m. is late for me.
- I have to plan a week ahead of time to meet someone for coffee.
- My planner is almost always with me. I actually schedule people in for things.
- I like Michael W. Smith a lot. I used to not think that was a very old thing, but after discussing which concert I would like to go to if I had a chance, and having Mr. Smith himself as an answer, people started laughing, as if I was joking around. (I was actually pretty serious.) And the funny thing right now is that most of you that are reading this are like, who the heck is Michael W. Smith. Wikipedia him.
- If you don’t know what Wikipedia is, Google that. If you do not know what Google is, ok, I am not even going to go there
- An ideal weekend is going out and having coffee with someone discussing deep issues.
- A lot of my friends will be graduating next year. Some might even get married. Some already have.
See, the thing about all this, is that I am not unhappy, sad, etc. at all. I am actually really joyful and confident of where I am. I feel accepted and loved just the way I am. It is kind of cool how God can make you feel that way.
Here is my challenge to you all. Think of the one thing that makes you feel old, sad, lonely, or whatever, and find the good in it. Maybe you feel like everyone else is doing something and you were not invited. Know that if you are reading this at a computer right now, you are looking at an electronic piece of equipment that most of the world may never see.
If you are feeling lonely because someone broke up with you or are coming off a bad relationship, remember that many people in this world will never even know what dating is. Even if they did, they would not have the means to even date.
If you are feeling stressed about school and finals coming up, find the joy in being able to sit in class, learn, and be educated. People, do you understand how lucky you are if you are currently in college or ever have been to college! There are people who would die to be educated. To be able to read, write, and communicate.
See, the thing about all this, these are not just statistics. This is real. There is a person, sitting in Minneapolis right now, wishing he or she could go to college but will never be able to afford it. There is a person working in some field in India, who does not know a thing about dating and even if he did, he already has an arranged marriage with a person he barely knows. There is boy in Ecuador who may never even know what a computer is. He may one day see a picture of it and hope to SEE one.
I didn’t write all this to make you feel sad. I wrote it so we could all find joy in the stressful, tough, sad, hopeless times of our lives. All the glory goes to God!
I just thought I would read my bible study leader’s blog, and now I am feeling a deep sense of joy, happiness, along with some unbelief and amazement that has caused me to be taken back. If you want to read the posting of how he became a Christian, it is at www.adamgo.blogspot.com.
Over and Over today, I have been feeling older and older. I know that I am only 21 years old, but it just seems like I am old. It is a bit weird, but I remember feeling like this in high school too. Now I am in college, and feel the same way. Here are some reasons why:
- The last few nights, I have been ready for bed before midnight. Ok, I know that may not seem that old, but man, I remember freshman year thinking that midnight was a good time to start something, like a movie.
- Tonight was Saturday night, and I checked out three board games from my residence hall and played until midnight. That of itself is not old. But we got there at 9:30 and were ready to be done and in bed by 11:30.
- I enjoy peace and quiet. A lot!!! The noise I used to enjoy, I now get annoyed with. I would much rather sit and read a book then watch TV (most of the time).
- Eating dinner at 5:00 p.m. is late for me.
- I have to plan a week ahead of time to meet someone for coffee.
- My planner is almost always with me. I actually schedule people in for things.
- I like Michael W. Smith a lot. I used to not think that was a very old thing, but after discussing which concert I would like to go to if I had a chance, and having Mr. Smith himself as an answer, people started laughing, as if I was joking around. (I was actually pretty serious.) And the funny thing right now is that most of you that are reading this are like, who the heck is Michael W. Smith. Wikipedia him.
- If you don’t know what Wikipedia is, Google that. If you do not know what Google is, ok, I am not even going to go there
- An ideal weekend is going out and having coffee with someone discussing deep issues.
- A lot of my friends will be graduating next year. Some might even get married. Some already have.
See, the thing about all this, is that I am not unhappy, sad, etc. at all. I am actually really joyful and confident of where I am. I feel accepted and loved just the way I am. It is kind of cool how God can make you feel that way.
Here is my challenge to you all. Think of the one thing that makes you feel old, sad, lonely, or whatever, and find the good in it. Maybe you feel like everyone else is doing something and you were not invited. Know that if you are reading this at a computer right now, you are looking at an electronic piece of equipment that most of the world may never see.
If you are feeling lonely because someone broke up with you or are coming off a bad relationship, remember that many people in this world will never even know what dating is. Even if they did, they would not have the means to even date.
If you are feeling stressed about school and finals coming up, find the joy in being able to sit in class, learn, and be educated. People, do you understand how lucky you are if you are currently in college or ever have been to college! There are people who would die to be educated. To be able to read, write, and communicate.
See, the thing about all this, these are not just statistics. This is real. There is a person, sitting in Minneapolis right now, wishing he or she could go to college but will never be able to afford it. There is a person working in some field in India, who does not know a thing about dating and even if he did, he already has an arranged marriage with a person he barely knows. There is boy in Ecuador who may never even know what a computer is. He may one day see a picture of it and hope to SEE one.
I didn’t write all this to make you feel sad. I wrote it so we could all find joy in the stressful, tough, sad, hopeless times of our lives. All the glory goes to God!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thankful?! I am blown away...
It being Thanksgiving and all, it is only proper to be thankful for some things. Hopefully the ones I list are a bit more unique then usual.
- I am thankful for silence. Maybe it is because I live in a residence hall where it is usually loud all the time, but I just love sitting at home right now and really having silence. There is just a peace about it that makes me calm and comfortable. But this is definitely not the only kind of silence I enjoy and have grown to love. How about the comfortable silence between two good friends or family that is not awkward or weird? That is beautiful.
- I am thankful for the cold. See, this is not because I love winter sports or the outdoors or even getting all bundled up (although I do enjoy that every once in a while). It is more so because the cold helps be appreciate the warmth that spring and summer bring. If I never knew any better then just warmth, I think I would just take it for granted.
- Speaking of feeling cold and warm, I am thankful that the Thanksgiving to New Years Season may be cold on the outside, but really warm on the inside. Let me explain. Like many, I love the Holiday season, and even though the weather is below freezing outside, the warmth that I feel inside is incredible. I love how God works like that to use opposites to blend together so well.
- I am thankful for the feeling of heartache of missing someone. That feeling of sentiment that a little part of you is left behind. Maybe that sounds weird, but for me, it truly shows the people that mean the most to me.
- I am so unbelievably thankful that Jesus loves me just the way I am. That I do not need to impress him with the things I have done or am doing to receive his unbelievable free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. I am sooo thankful that it has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Him.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
- I am thankful for silence. Maybe it is because I live in a residence hall where it is usually loud all the time, but I just love sitting at home right now and really having silence. There is just a peace about it that makes me calm and comfortable. But this is definitely not the only kind of silence I enjoy and have grown to love. How about the comfortable silence between two good friends or family that is not awkward or weird? That is beautiful.
- I am thankful for the cold. See, this is not because I love winter sports or the outdoors or even getting all bundled up (although I do enjoy that every once in a while). It is more so because the cold helps be appreciate the warmth that spring and summer bring. If I never knew any better then just warmth, I think I would just take it for granted.
- Speaking of feeling cold and warm, I am thankful that the Thanksgiving to New Years Season may be cold on the outside, but really warm on the inside. Let me explain. Like many, I love the Holiday season, and even though the weather is below freezing outside, the warmth that I feel inside is incredible. I love how God works like that to use opposites to blend together so well.
- I am thankful for the feeling of heartache of missing someone. That feeling of sentiment that a little part of you is left behind. Maybe that sounds weird, but for me, it truly shows the people that mean the most to me.
- I am so unbelievably thankful that Jesus loves me just the way I am. That I do not need to impress him with the things I have done or am doing to receive his unbelievable free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. I am sooo thankful that it has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Him.
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Ocean City Reunion and More
It is really weird because I am unsure if my heart has ever really felt this way in my life.
This past weekend was the reunion from the Summer Project I did this past summer in Ocean City, New Jersey. The reunion itself was at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Before I start my reflection on the reunion, I must say that Northwestern is such a beautiful university and I just loved the atmosphere.
Reflecting on it is a bit difficult just because I miss it so much. When I left this summer, I really did not have to deal with the “big, official good-bye” because I had to leave early for CA training. So going to reunion was a bit bittersweet knowing that at the end of a few days I would have to say good-bye to some people for the rest of my life.
Overall, the weekend was extremely quick but good. It was nice catching up with people and just enjoying people’s companies. One of my favorite parts was just sitting back and looking at all the people talking to each other and enjoying each other. The love and joy of Christ was so evident between everyone.
Just thinking about those people right now hurts a little bit, not knowing when we will see each other again. However, as believers in Christ, there is such an amazing and hopeful ending to be looked forward too.
Here are some other random thoughts that are not exactly organized from this past week:
- I have started listening to the Doxology by different bands. It has been incredible the strength in a few, old words. Praise Him!
- From last weekend and this week, it has been incredible how encouraged I have been by other people. I always wonder why I am so blessed with the people I am surrounded with.
- You know the uneasy feeling you get when you really just do not know what is going to happen next, but either way, it is going to be a big deal. And further, the even more uneasy feeling knowing you have to do something but not wanting to do it. It is like this battle between your spiritual self and human nature. Sometimes the human nature wins the battle, but more often than not, the spiritual side will prevail. I went through quite a few of those moments this week. But all was good in the end.
- More and more, I have begun to appreciate silence and solitude. Maybe it is because I live in a freshman residence hall and it is pretty loud often. But more than that, I just love being with people and not feeling the pressure to have to say something or think of a question to ask to keep the conversation going. It is just so nice just to appreciate the presence of the person you are with.
- Going off that last thought, it has been sweet just spending time like that with God. I think often times we pray for so long, that we never just sit and rest in His presence.
- Here is a fun question I like to ask myself: In 5000 years, what you are doing now is going to matter? Grades? Looks? Societal perception? People?
Just as I have been encouraged a lot this week, I wanted to do some public encouraging. I have mentioned my family many times and how I love them so much. I wanted to give props to my second brother. There are just so many things about him that make him special. I could go on forever in this blog, but he is just so self-less and would do anything for the betterment of others. He truly is an example of a person who is passionate but would much rather have someone else be better off.
That is it for now.
This past weekend was the reunion from the Summer Project I did this past summer in Ocean City, New Jersey. The reunion itself was at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Before I start my reflection on the reunion, I must say that Northwestern is such a beautiful university and I just loved the atmosphere.
Reflecting on it is a bit difficult just because I miss it so much. When I left this summer, I really did not have to deal with the “big, official good-bye” because I had to leave early for CA training. So going to reunion was a bit bittersweet knowing that at the end of a few days I would have to say good-bye to some people for the rest of my life.
Overall, the weekend was extremely quick but good. It was nice catching up with people and just enjoying people’s companies. One of my favorite parts was just sitting back and looking at all the people talking to each other and enjoying each other. The love and joy of Christ was so evident between everyone.
Just thinking about those people right now hurts a little bit, not knowing when we will see each other again. However, as believers in Christ, there is such an amazing and hopeful ending to be looked forward too.
Here are some other random thoughts that are not exactly organized from this past week:
- I have started listening to the Doxology by different bands. It has been incredible the strength in a few, old words. Praise Him!
- From last weekend and this week, it has been incredible how encouraged I have been by other people. I always wonder why I am so blessed with the people I am surrounded with.
- You know the uneasy feeling you get when you really just do not know what is going to happen next, but either way, it is going to be a big deal. And further, the even more uneasy feeling knowing you have to do something but not wanting to do it. It is like this battle between your spiritual self and human nature. Sometimes the human nature wins the battle, but more often than not, the spiritual side will prevail. I went through quite a few of those moments this week. But all was good in the end.
- More and more, I have begun to appreciate silence and solitude. Maybe it is because I live in a freshman residence hall and it is pretty loud often. But more than that, I just love being with people and not feeling the pressure to have to say something or think of a question to ask to keep the conversation going. It is just so nice just to appreciate the presence of the person you are with.
- Going off that last thought, it has been sweet just spending time like that with God. I think often times we pray for so long, that we never just sit and rest in His presence.
- Here is a fun question I like to ask myself: In 5000 years, what you are doing now is going to matter? Grades? Looks? Societal perception? People?
Just as I have been encouraged a lot this week, I wanted to do some public encouraging. I have mentioned my family many times and how I love them so much. I wanted to give props to my second brother. There are just so many things about him that make him special. I could go on forever in this blog, but he is just so self-less and would do anything for the betterment of others. He truly is an example of a person who is passionate but would much rather have someone else be better off.
That is it for now.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Intramural Champion?---Check
Today, I accomplished one of the goals I had before I graduate college. It may have taken three years, four sports, and probably seven different teams, but it finally happened. You may be wondering what this IT is.
Well, I finally won an Intramural Championship. The sport was outdoor soccer. The team: E-stars. It was sweet, because I played with the same team last year for indoor soccer and we had a heart-breaking loss in shootouts. But this year, we scored two goals in the last five minutes of our first playoff game to win 4-3. Then the second playoff game went into shootouts where we won 3-0. Finally, the Championship game we cruised to a 2-0 win. It was pretty solid. Hopefully I get the long awaited T-shirt soon.
Well, I finally won an Intramural Championship. The sport was outdoor soccer. The team: E-stars. It was sweet, because I played with the same team last year for indoor soccer and we had a heart-breaking loss in shootouts. But this year, we scored two goals in the last five minutes of our first playoff game to win 4-3. Then the second playoff game went into shootouts where we won 3-0. Finally, the Championship game we cruised to a 2-0 win. It was pretty solid. Hopefully I get the long awaited T-shirt soon.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Huge Letdown
Well, as many of at this point know, the Gophers just had one of the worst football collapses. Up by 10 with two minutes to go, Minnesota had the game in the bag. However, huge disappointments on special teams negated that and they ended up losing by four.
Alright, right now the emotions I am feeling is just a huge disappointment and heartache. I cannot believe what I just saw. If you have no idea what I am talking about right now, go to espn.com and I am sure you can get a run down on what occurred.
However, I am sure many of Gopher fans exactly understand. But here is the parallel point for me. As a Christian, why do I not feel this deep of emotion for my Savior? Why do I not feel this deep sense of loss for people who are literally “losing” the game of life all around me? If you have no idea what I am talking about as far as “losing” the game of life, get a hold of me and I will let you know.
For those of you who go the U and understand what “losing” the game of life means, remember the emotion you are currently feeling after that unbelievable football loss. Do you feel that way about the eternal loss people all around us are destined too?
Alright, right now the emotions I am feeling is just a huge disappointment and heartache. I cannot believe what I just saw. If you have no idea what I am talking about right now, go to espn.com and I am sure you can get a run down on what occurred.
However, I am sure many of Gopher fans exactly understand. But here is the parallel point for me. As a Christian, why do I not feel this deep of emotion for my Savior? Why do I not feel this deep sense of loss for people who are literally “losing” the game of life all around me? If you have no idea what I am talking about as far as “losing” the game of life, get a hold of me and I will let you know.
For those of you who go the U and understand what “losing” the game of life means, remember the emotion you are currently feeling after that unbelievable football loss. Do you feel that way about the eternal loss people all around us are destined too?
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