Just as the title suggests, I with the help of my oldest brother, have realized that I am horrible when it comes to contributing or even looking at this blog. Well folks, that's about to change.
If you read my past posts you may see a pattern. They continue to get longer, with what I hope is a super epic point at the end tying everything together. Every time I would see my brother he would say "Why haven't you posted in a while?" I really had no good response, it was mostly "I don't have time." But if I really take a look my response was "I don't feel like I have anything epic enough to put up for the world, or in reality, less then 10 people to see."
I started a new job a few months ago. It is one of those jobs that a lot of people try, and not many people actually succeed. But for those that make it, the industry is very rewarding. Well anyway I am currently a trainee, and for the 10 to 12 hours a day I am at work I make hundreds of phone calls hoping for someone to hear me out. The first day was the most humbling experience I ever had. People cursing me out, telling me to screw off and hanging up- the rejection was a strange feeling. But now when I have someone on the phone I am confident that they will hear me out because I have learned a lot. This is what all of us hope for, that as we do something more, we continue to get better at it and the results are rewarding.
So here I am, instead of trying to write about something that is epic, I will simply write.
Today I met up with the youth group I lead. The guys are going to camp, and one of them isn't Christian but is going to a Christian camp. When I asked the general question of "what is prayer" he gave a great response and got me excited. I gave the guys an assignment to keep track of any questions they may have during the week. While today wasn't some epic event, it showed me what God really asks us to do- watch and expect to him to show up everyday. In this day to day expectation God will continue to build on what is being done. I'm excited to see how God moves the youth group and moves me in this blog to simply show up and expect great things!
See you soon.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Learnig French
Have you ever heard of Rosetta Stone?
While this phrase may bring to mind the literal ancient stone which helped scholars to unlock an ancient language, I'm referring to the computer program.
During my Sophomore year I switched my major from Business to English. The main reason was because I got sick of looking at numbers, and really wanted to learn the ins and outs of the language I speak everyday. After officially switching my major I realized a requirement that I had never noticed before- In order to graduate I would need 6 credits of an "intermediate language."
The last time I was in a foreign language class was in the 9th grade, and I got fed up with it and decided to never take it again. But here I was, faced once more with "French."
I really couldn't tell you why I chose French in middle school, it just seemed more exciting then Spanish, which everyone was taking. Yet here I am in college, realizing that the only other language that may be of use in my life is Spanish, but since I already had a foundation in French, I started eating more baguettes and wearing those sweet hats.
All that to say, taking a college level French course did (and still does) scare me to death. Because of that I got "Rosetta Stone" in order to help me learn.
Rosetta Stone always talks about how they are the program of choice to teach anyone how to speak a new language in a simple way; "immersion."
From the Oxford English Dictionary: "Immerse- To plunge into, to bury, embed, involve, or include in other things."
Opening up the program felt like I stepping into France. There is no English, just French speakers speaking French about French things as you look at pictures of... America. Just kidding, they show French pictures.
I was blown away at first, and honestly a little frustrated. But after doing a few exercises I could see the benefits of all of this Frenchness. By only seeing hearing and speaking French I had to really learn the language instead of just learning to translate.
There is an obvious difference between someone who can translate between languages, and a person who can think in a different language. By being able to be surrounded by the language and culture, Rosetta Stone helped me to really learn and clearly understand all of this stuff.
When I first came to college I was doing something everyday of the week. Monday thru Thursday I was at prayer meetings, Bible studies and huge Christian meeting. Friday and Saturday I would be having conversations about the Bible and God with a few friends and Sunday I was at church. When I wasn't doing all of this stuff I was reading for myself and really taking it all in.
I was immersed.
Because of the people I was surrounded by, the things I was studying and the conversations I was having, I was really able to learn who God is, and what he was doing all around me. It was amazing.
Much like Rosetta Stone, this high intensity immersion slowed down once I started being comfortable in what I already knew.
In French I know how to ask questions, how to say thank you, I can get by, though a little choppy, I can still get by.
The more I look back on the last few years I see the same thing happening with my longing for God. I know how to pray, I know the truth, and God has entrusted me to lead. All of these things have made me comfortable.
While I go to class and learn about French, everything is still translated into English, and everyone still thinks in their native language. It is only by myself, with this program, that I am able to be completely immersed in all that is French.
It is the same way with getting to know God. While we can learn a lot from listening to other people and going to a billion meetings, we also need to sit down and surround ourselves with prayer and the Word so that we are able to truly and effectively be immersed in God.
Surrounding ourselves is really a great way to learn anything, but without speaking who knows if we really have learned? Let me explain; I can sit in French class for two years, and do exercises on Rosetta Stone everyday, but if I don't speak the language, how can anyone, least of all me, know if I truly learned anything.
If we go to all these meetings, and sit and read John Piper and Francis Chan but don't act on what we have read, did we really even learn?
It is a great first step if you can translate a language. You are able to get a glimpse of a culture, and maybe share that with someone else, but things will get lost in translation. The best speakers, or teachers, are those who can truly think in the language, and act out what they know.
How well are you doing in French class? Are you a translator or a speaker?
Acting on what we know is the true test to illustrate if we really know anything at all...
While this phrase may bring to mind the literal ancient stone which helped scholars to unlock an ancient language, I'm referring to the computer program.
During my Sophomore year I switched my major from Business to English. The main reason was because I got sick of looking at numbers, and really wanted to learn the ins and outs of the language I speak everyday. After officially switching my major I realized a requirement that I had never noticed before- In order to graduate I would need 6 credits of an "intermediate language."
The last time I was in a foreign language class was in the 9th grade, and I got fed up with it and decided to never take it again. But here I was, faced once more with "French."
I really couldn't tell you why I chose French in middle school, it just seemed more exciting then Spanish, which everyone was taking. Yet here I am in college, realizing that the only other language that may be of use in my life is Spanish, but since I already had a foundation in French, I started eating more baguettes and wearing those sweet hats.
All that to say, taking a college level French course did (and still does) scare me to death. Because of that I got "Rosetta Stone" in order to help me learn.
Rosetta Stone always talks about how they are the program of choice to teach anyone how to speak a new language in a simple way; "immersion."
From the Oxford English Dictionary: "Immerse- To plunge into, to bury, embed, involve, or include in other things."
Opening up the program felt like I stepping into France. There is no English, just French speakers speaking French about French things as you look at pictures of... America. Just kidding, they show French pictures.
I was blown away at first, and honestly a little frustrated. But after doing a few exercises I could see the benefits of all of this Frenchness. By only seeing hearing and speaking French I had to really learn the language instead of just learning to translate.
There is an obvious difference between someone who can translate between languages, and a person who can think in a different language. By being able to be surrounded by the language and culture, Rosetta Stone helped me to really learn and clearly understand all of this stuff.
When I first came to college I was doing something everyday of the week. Monday thru Thursday I was at prayer meetings, Bible studies and huge Christian meeting. Friday and Saturday I would be having conversations about the Bible and God with a few friends and Sunday I was at church. When I wasn't doing all of this stuff I was reading for myself and really taking it all in.
I was immersed.
Because of the people I was surrounded by, the things I was studying and the conversations I was having, I was really able to learn who God is, and what he was doing all around me. It was amazing.
Much like Rosetta Stone, this high intensity immersion slowed down once I started being comfortable in what I already knew.
In French I know how to ask questions, how to say thank you, I can get by, though a little choppy, I can still get by.
The more I look back on the last few years I see the same thing happening with my longing for God. I know how to pray, I know the truth, and God has entrusted me to lead. All of these things have made me comfortable.
While I go to class and learn about French, everything is still translated into English, and everyone still thinks in their native language. It is only by myself, with this program, that I am able to be completely immersed in all that is French.
It is the same way with getting to know God. While we can learn a lot from listening to other people and going to a billion meetings, we also need to sit down and surround ourselves with prayer and the Word so that we are able to truly and effectively be immersed in God.
Surrounding ourselves is really a great way to learn anything, but without speaking who knows if we really have learned? Let me explain; I can sit in French class for two years, and do exercises on Rosetta Stone everyday, but if I don't speak the language, how can anyone, least of all me, know if I truly learned anything.
If we go to all these meetings, and sit and read John Piper and Francis Chan but don't act on what we have read, did we really even learn?
It is a great first step if you can translate a language. You are able to get a glimpse of a culture, and maybe share that with someone else, but things will get lost in translation. The best speakers, or teachers, are those who can truly think in the language, and act out what they know.
How well are you doing in French class? Are you a translator or a speaker?
Acting on what we know is the true test to illustrate if we really know anything at all...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Act kind randomly, see what happens.
Well it has been a long time hasn't it. My life is moving, and I'm trying to keep the pace, attempting to lengthen my stride, and run faster in the right direction daily.
Something came back to me when I saw this video: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Mystery-Couple-Pay-It-Forward-79179347.html?yhp=1
Check out the video. Does it seem like something strange, something that you've never done? This is an example of what I like to call a Random Act of Kindness (RAK). Doing something for someone else is an idea and action we always forget. Have you ever held a door for someone? Let a car go ahead of you? Let someone else go through the check out before you? Paid a complete stranger's bill?
Now I'm sure you've done one of those things, but why is it something that we only to once a day, once a week or once in a while when we just feel like it? RAKs should be what each of us strive to do. The couple in this situation paid the bill and just said "Tell them Merry Christmas." From this simple gesture people helped each other for five straight hours, paying for stranger's food. This is how life is meant to be lived "considering others better then yourself."
We are in the holiday season right now and presents are awesome. But the ipod will eventually break, the books will get dusty and the clothes will get torn up and thrown out. But doing something for someone else, as simple as paying their bill or just asking how their day was can go a long way. It isn't just that person who is effected by your kindness either, they will then go and be kind to someone else, and it continues to spread.
What if we all focused on being kind in random situations, how far would it spread?
Don't let this question go unanswered; go and do.
Something came back to me when I saw this video: http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local-beat/Mystery-Couple-Pay-It-Forward-79179347.html?yhp=1
Check out the video. Does it seem like something strange, something that you've never done? This is an example of what I like to call a Random Act of Kindness (RAK). Doing something for someone else is an idea and action we always forget. Have you ever held a door for someone? Let a car go ahead of you? Let someone else go through the check out before you? Paid a complete stranger's bill?
Now I'm sure you've done one of those things, but why is it something that we only to once a day, once a week or once in a while when we just feel like it? RAKs should be what each of us strive to do. The couple in this situation paid the bill and just said "Tell them Merry Christmas." From this simple gesture people helped each other for five straight hours, paying for stranger's food. This is how life is meant to be lived "considering others better then yourself."
We are in the holiday season right now and presents are awesome. But the ipod will eventually break, the books will get dusty and the clothes will get torn up and thrown out. But doing something for someone else, as simple as paying their bill or just asking how their day was can go a long way. It isn't just that person who is effected by your kindness either, they will then go and be kind to someone else, and it continues to spread.
What if we all focused on being kind in random situations, how far would it spread?
Don't let this question go unanswered; go and do.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Deer Caught in the Headlights
It's dark tonight. I was just driving around a traffic circle almost home when I saw it. A deer. For some of you this may seem strange, but for those of us in upstate NY it is just as familiar as Stewarts and Lake George. This one was different. I'm sure you've heard the expression "Like a deer caught in the headlights" Though I've seen it before tonight stood out to me. Standing on a patch of grass twenty feet from the road the deer got a glimpse of my headlights and just froze. Maybe out of fear, or possibly because the bright light was so different from the dark cloud covered night. Whatever the reason it got my attention.
A few years ago tonight would have been normal. Finish work, head to a friend's house, then off to a party. Once we got there we would sit back, talk to some people, have a few drinks, then either sleep at the house or find a sober ride home. In this town these situations are my generations heart beat. Almost every night there is an open house, a place to be with kids you've known since elementary school. In the last few years the parties have turned into an adhoc highscool reunion.
I am about to enter my third year in college, and ever since I've been there these parties have been less appealing. My first winter break I remember driving friends to the party because I had made up my mind to stop drinking. But after a little while there I would start to feel drained. I could have had a great nights sleep and gone completely energized, but after about half an hour my tolerance for people would drop (I always love being around people, this was weird). That summer I would drop off my friends because I hated feeling drained.
Tonight I was at one of my closest friends houses, and he got a call from our other good friend. There was a party at a kid's house who I really haven't seen since highschool. I have always been friends with this person and thought it would be nice just to swing by. Familiarity is key when you are going to a party. If you don't know everyone, you can get by with knowing a few. Fortunately I not only knew the people I went with, but most of the people there, and have been to the house more times then I can count. All the reasons someone should be uncomfortable flew out the window. I said hi to my friends I haven't seen in a while, a few goofy hugs later I look around. There are the beer pong tables set up, a staple here, and a bong being passed around. A few years ago I would've been in line for both of these. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not the type of kid to freak out because people are drinking and smoking, I just know for me its not the way to go.
I walked around for a little while longer and said hi to a few more people before finding my close friend who I came with. He looked at me and just said "This really isn't your thing anymore." Apparently I was a deer caught in the headlights. Even though I thought I was good, was looking like I belonged, something my friend saw screamed "why am I here?" A few seconds later I said my goodbyes and walked out the door.
From being at school I have seen more and more that the people I want to help the most are those my own age. At my college I am part of a Christian ministry on campus commited to serving our campus community. Honestly, it's what gets me up in the morning. Seeing kids at a research universtiy believe in Jesus is amazing. Knowing that the people I know now will one day be nurses and doctors, serving because of there love for God makes me shake with anticipation. When someone comes to understand that most people will follow or disown God in four short years, you can't help but try and help them make an eternal decision.
But this is where my dilemma lies. If Mother Theresa had had a heart to help the poor and dying but never went to Calcutta, could she really help? If someone wants to heal earthquake victims but doesn't want to get off the couch, are they doing anything? If I want to show love to those my age but don't go to where they are, am I really helping? The answer should be no, but when I go to the parties I feel drained, and am helping no one. So to me the answer is unclear.
Or is it?
"At all times preach the gospel, when necessary, use words"
A few years ago tonight would have been normal. Finish work, head to a friend's house, then off to a party. Once we got there we would sit back, talk to some people, have a few drinks, then either sleep at the house or find a sober ride home. In this town these situations are my generations heart beat. Almost every night there is an open house, a place to be with kids you've known since elementary school. In the last few years the parties have turned into an adhoc highscool reunion.
I am about to enter my third year in college, and ever since I've been there these parties have been less appealing. My first winter break I remember driving friends to the party because I had made up my mind to stop drinking. But after a little while there I would start to feel drained. I could have had a great nights sleep and gone completely energized, but after about half an hour my tolerance for people would drop (I always love being around people, this was weird). That summer I would drop off my friends because I hated feeling drained.
Tonight I was at one of my closest friends houses, and he got a call from our other good friend. There was a party at a kid's house who I really haven't seen since highschool. I have always been friends with this person and thought it would be nice just to swing by. Familiarity is key when you are going to a party. If you don't know everyone, you can get by with knowing a few. Fortunately I not only knew the people I went with, but most of the people there, and have been to the house more times then I can count. All the reasons someone should be uncomfortable flew out the window. I said hi to my friends I haven't seen in a while, a few goofy hugs later I look around. There are the beer pong tables set up, a staple here, and a bong being passed around. A few years ago I would've been in line for both of these. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not the type of kid to freak out because people are drinking and smoking, I just know for me its not the way to go.
I walked around for a little while longer and said hi to a few more people before finding my close friend who I came with. He looked at me and just said "This really isn't your thing anymore." Apparently I was a deer caught in the headlights. Even though I thought I was good, was looking like I belonged, something my friend saw screamed "why am I here?" A few seconds later I said my goodbyes and walked out the door.
From being at school I have seen more and more that the people I want to help the most are those my own age. At my college I am part of a Christian ministry on campus commited to serving our campus community. Honestly, it's what gets me up in the morning. Seeing kids at a research universtiy believe in Jesus is amazing. Knowing that the people I know now will one day be nurses and doctors, serving because of there love for God makes me shake with anticipation. When someone comes to understand that most people will follow or disown God in four short years, you can't help but try and help them make an eternal decision.
But this is where my dilemma lies. If Mother Theresa had had a heart to help the poor and dying but never went to Calcutta, could she really help? If someone wants to heal earthquake victims but doesn't want to get off the couch, are they doing anything? If I want to show love to those my age but don't go to where they are, am I really helping? The answer should be no, but when I go to the parties I feel drained, and am helping no one. So to me the answer is unclear.
Or is it?
"At all times preach the gospel, when necessary, use words"
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Burnt Out
Exhausted is an understatement...
At the end of the day I find myself laying on my bed turning on the T.V. and refusing to move. Now I could be reading (I've heard it is good for you), I could be spending more time with family, or I could even post more things on this blog. But all of these things get replaced with sitting and starring at a piece of glass encased in plastic with flashing colors. You may be asking why this happens.
Like many other people I am home for summer vacation from college. Well I don't think you could really call it a vacation... Like many people I come home between semesters. When I am home I have a full time job house painting (It might sound boring and easy, but making a house look good while being in upwards of 80 degree weather is difficult). After being in the sun all day working, I either go to my boss's house to watch the kids, or come home to sit in front of a computer and study a different language. After this I may go see some friends or they might come here. On top of this daily list of things to do I am in the process of trying to plan for next year for a club I am part of. There are also the trips to Long Island to help this. Along with all of this I have been asked to help paint the house of my church's future pastor as well as help plan events for church. And last but not least there is a boat that I want to get fixed and running before I go back to school.
I'm not writing this to have you feel bad for me, to ask if I'm O.K. The reason I am taking time out from running around is because I think we can all relate to this. Whether we have a job and it seems overwhelming, or maybe you have a bunch of things asking for your time, and there is always the possibility that you are idle, spending a lot of time in front of that plastic encased multicolored glass screen. Whatever it is on some level you know that there is something more to living then merely taking breaths. Let me explain...
The company I paint for is one of the best in this area. I am not writing this to make you think I am some amazing painter, I mean come on, it's only my second summer doing it. But I write this because the guys I work with are usually double my age, and have been doing this for as long as I've been living. These men come to work. Nearly all I can think of have some sort of substance abuse problem. After work they go to the beer store, go home and watch that glass screen. In simple terms they are burnt out.
About a month ago I was speaking to a friend who is currently helping to plant a church. He was telling me about earlier in his life. In the part he was speaking of he had just became a believer and was excited to do everything. Simply: He wanted to feed all the hungry, cure AIDs, help every orphan and end modern day slavery... all by lunchtime. As he put it he was "All light, no heat." Part of being a Christian is to help those in need, to be a light in dark places. The problem with doing too many things is that you are doing too many things. Let me rephrase, if you are "all light, no heat," you are like a flashlight in a cold house. You help people to see things that may be wrong but you are unable to truly help them. You may be able to point out a wall ahead, or a dangerous edge, but you have no capacity to make others warm, to help them get up and move. On the other hand, a fire is able to give light to a room while at the same time helping people to get up and cover a sharp edge. By being light and heat you help others by showing possible barriers while also giving them the motivation to break them down.
I know lately I've been "All light, no heat." I've been so concerned with trying to work, help my church, help my friends and be there for my family I've been unable to truly help anyone because the heat I have was being spread across a huge area. One of my main concerns when I am home is trying to show my friends that life is meant to be lived with and thru Christ. To me, this can never be done by just talking. Since a few years ago I have been challenged to have my life illustrate the Gospel. In this way my friends are able to see that my faith is not something which I speak, instead it is my life. Sounds good right? What if I am trying to illustrate the Gospel, but I'm not opening my Bible to gain Spiritual food. From first hand experience I've been getting burnt out, becoming a flashlight which doesn't do anyone much good.
When I had been home from school about a week I emailed another one of my friends who is also currently working on planting this church. I asked him to pray for me in regards to my friends. He emailed me back with a verse, 2 Corinthians 2:15- "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
Ever walked into a bakery right before they close? Everything was baked hours ago but you can still smell the bread. It is like that with believers, wherever we go the very fragrance of God lingers. It is such an amazing thing that we tend to overlook. But when we look to God's Word we see what we were truly meant to be, light and heat.
Today was a crazy long day. I got home and could feel myself being aggravated with everything. Instead of going on facebook or turning on that infamous box, I opened my Bible and just began to read. Three chapters in I could feel myself becoming more peaceful. In line with this whole fire thing, it was like someone threw on a fresh log, and the intensity of the flame grew. It was weird in that awesome kind of way.
Be light, be a fire. Let this light and heat linger as the aroma of Christ. It is impossible for a burnt out fire to give off light and heat, and it is impossible for a burnt out person to truly live for Jesus.
Die with Him, Live for Him.
At the end of the day I find myself laying on my bed turning on the T.V. and refusing to move. Now I could be reading (I've heard it is good for you), I could be spending more time with family, or I could even post more things on this blog. But all of these things get replaced with sitting and starring at a piece of glass encased in plastic with flashing colors. You may be asking why this happens.
Like many other people I am home for summer vacation from college. Well I don't think you could really call it a vacation... Like many people I come home between semesters. When I am home I have a full time job house painting (It might sound boring and easy, but making a house look good while being in upwards of 80 degree weather is difficult). After being in the sun all day working, I either go to my boss's house to watch the kids, or come home to sit in front of a computer and study a different language. After this I may go see some friends or they might come here. On top of this daily list of things to do I am in the process of trying to plan for next year for a club I am part of. There are also the trips to Long Island to help this. Along with all of this I have been asked to help paint the house of my church's future pastor as well as help plan events for church. And last but not least there is a boat that I want to get fixed and running before I go back to school.
I'm not writing this to have you feel bad for me, to ask if I'm O.K. The reason I am taking time out from running around is because I think we can all relate to this. Whether we have a job and it seems overwhelming, or maybe you have a bunch of things asking for your time, and there is always the possibility that you are idle, spending a lot of time in front of that plastic encased multicolored glass screen. Whatever it is on some level you know that there is something more to living then merely taking breaths. Let me explain...
The company I paint for is one of the best in this area. I am not writing this to make you think I am some amazing painter, I mean come on, it's only my second summer doing it. But I write this because the guys I work with are usually double my age, and have been doing this for as long as I've been living. These men come to work. Nearly all I can think of have some sort of substance abuse problem. After work they go to the beer store, go home and watch that glass screen. In simple terms they are burnt out.
About a month ago I was speaking to a friend who is currently helping to plant a church. He was telling me about earlier in his life. In the part he was speaking of he had just became a believer and was excited to do everything. Simply: He wanted to feed all the hungry, cure AIDs, help every orphan and end modern day slavery... all by lunchtime. As he put it he was "All light, no heat." Part of being a Christian is to help those in need, to be a light in dark places. The problem with doing too many things is that you are doing too many things. Let me rephrase, if you are "all light, no heat," you are like a flashlight in a cold house. You help people to see things that may be wrong but you are unable to truly help them. You may be able to point out a wall ahead, or a dangerous edge, but you have no capacity to make others warm, to help them get up and move. On the other hand, a fire is able to give light to a room while at the same time helping people to get up and cover a sharp edge. By being light and heat you help others by showing possible barriers while also giving them the motivation to break them down.
I know lately I've been "All light, no heat." I've been so concerned with trying to work, help my church, help my friends and be there for my family I've been unable to truly help anyone because the heat I have was being spread across a huge area. One of my main concerns when I am home is trying to show my friends that life is meant to be lived with and thru Christ. To me, this can never be done by just talking. Since a few years ago I have been challenged to have my life illustrate the Gospel. In this way my friends are able to see that my faith is not something which I speak, instead it is my life. Sounds good right? What if I am trying to illustrate the Gospel, but I'm not opening my Bible to gain Spiritual food. From first hand experience I've been getting burnt out, becoming a flashlight which doesn't do anyone much good.
When I had been home from school about a week I emailed another one of my friends who is also currently working on planting this church. I asked him to pray for me in regards to my friends. He emailed me back with a verse, 2 Corinthians 2:15- "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."
Ever walked into a bakery right before they close? Everything was baked hours ago but you can still smell the bread. It is like that with believers, wherever we go the very fragrance of God lingers. It is such an amazing thing that we tend to overlook. But when we look to God's Word we see what we were truly meant to be, light and heat.
Today was a crazy long day. I got home and could feel myself being aggravated with everything. Instead of going on facebook or turning on that infamous box, I opened my Bible and just began to read. Three chapters in I could feel myself becoming more peaceful. In line with this whole fire thing, it was like someone threw on a fresh log, and the intensity of the flame grew. It was weird in that awesome kind of way.
Be light, be a fire. Let this light and heat linger as the aroma of Christ. It is impossible for a burnt out fire to give off light and heat, and it is impossible for a burnt out person to truly live for Jesus.
Die with Him, Live for Him.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Matt.
For many writing is the release of pain, source of gain, for me it is my prevention of the insane
I have learned through mentors of old
From the experiences of the wise
That true expression is not found from the restating of old men in ancient books
Instead the paper wet with ink, held by the hand is the pathway to sparks set off by gray matter
Congratulations on a four oh, but if your learning is limited to the memorization and regurgitation of books,
The expression of life has slipped through the sparks
When I was brought up the words of Whitman were not poetry
The lives of those who came years before me
The scribblings on a page of pain, of gain, the release from becoming insane
Poetry to me, is an expression of life
Whether it be stories of a thrown butter knife
The sights of a pained existence,
For these eyes and ears the illustration of a life constantly transformed
Is the reason why I write
We have seen a family torn, but flames can't kill us
Though we've had our share of burns and cuts (some by swords on palms of hands)
Brothers that have gone through much
Ever asked why?
I have
What I've decided is whether it be through life, speech or ink bleeding from this pen
These scars we carry tell a story
Your story, your poetry, has shown me that life is about expression,
I long to see what our next stanzas will contain...
I have learned through mentors of old
From the experiences of the wise
That true expression is not found from the restating of old men in ancient books
Instead the paper wet with ink, held by the hand is the pathway to sparks set off by gray matter
Congratulations on a four oh, but if your learning is limited to the memorization and regurgitation of books,
The expression of life has slipped through the sparks
When I was brought up the words of Whitman were not poetry
The lives of those who came years before me
The scribblings on a page of pain, of gain, the release from becoming insane
Poetry to me, is an expression of life
Whether it be stories of a thrown butter knife
The sights of a pained existence,
For these eyes and ears the illustration of a life constantly transformed
Is the reason why I write
We have seen a family torn, but flames can't kill us
Though we've had our share of burns and cuts (some by swords on palms of hands)
Brothers that have gone through much
Ever asked why?
I have
What I've decided is whether it be through life, speech or ink bleeding from this pen
These scars we carry tell a story
Your story, your poetry, has shown me that life is about expression,
I long to see what our next stanzas will contain...
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Live on Purpose
Lately I've felt that I'm fighting time. Being a college student at the end of another semester time always seems to slip away, making it impossible to do anything productive or worth while. It is interesting to see how people behave when it comes down to crunch time. While many people will have there own version of freaking out: crying because they are overwhelmed, screaming because they don't understand or becoming hermits because they need to figure out exactly what the text book is saying. In the midst of all these kinds of people you will find those who are relaxed, laid back and acting the same way they would if they were on a vacation in the Bahamas.
Usually I'm one of those in the latter group, but this semester I've found myself locked in my room screaming at the text book and on the verge of crying and just giving up. What changed? Why all the sudden am I freaking out and not my usual laid back self? I let life take me over. I'll say it again, I let life take me over.
Instead of living life I became one who was knocked over by it. Rather than making everything I do a decision I instead fell into letting life throw me for loops that ended up going nowhere. Now for those of you thinking "Aren't you supposed to be surrendered?" I'll say one thing, yes. I, like the rest of us, am supposed to be surrendered to God. I feel like so many people skew this notion of being surrendered to God into something that makes them a prisoner of the world, rather then a fugitive of it. We are fugitives aren't we? According to the dictionary a fugitive is "a person who has escaped from a place." If we are believers, if we are saved, we are those who have been broken out of the prison which is the world.
So if we are meant to be surrendered doesn't that mean letting go and just moving with the flow? The answer is yes, and no, we must remember that if we are fugitives we are working in opposition to the rest of the world and its practices. We do this is by LIVING ON PURPOSE.
When we LIVE ON PURPOSE we don't just get caught up with the world, instead we do everything for the specific reasoning of serving and bringing glory to the original jail bird, Jesus Christ. When we LIVE ON PURPOSE every thought, decision and action should be running through the filter that is servanthood. When we live our lives through the perception of serving others, through the act of freeing others from this prison, everything else that we do; school, work, conversations, driving, eating, sleeping, buying clothes, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, all of it, will be for a reason. If we are able to live lives on purpose, an believe me its not easy, but if we are able to even do it for a matter of minutes why would we ever let ourselves get caught up in the endless spin cycle of this world's worries.
My friends, live on purpose, move for a reason, be fugitives to this place which is temporary.
Usually I'm one of those in the latter group, but this semester I've found myself locked in my room screaming at the text book and on the verge of crying and just giving up. What changed? Why all the sudden am I freaking out and not my usual laid back self? I let life take me over. I'll say it again, I let life take me over.
Instead of living life I became one who was knocked over by it. Rather than making everything I do a decision I instead fell into letting life throw me for loops that ended up going nowhere. Now for those of you thinking "Aren't you supposed to be surrendered?" I'll say one thing, yes. I, like the rest of us, am supposed to be surrendered to God. I feel like so many people skew this notion of being surrendered to God into something that makes them a prisoner of the world, rather then a fugitive of it. We are fugitives aren't we? According to the dictionary a fugitive is "a person who has escaped from a place." If we are believers, if we are saved, we are those who have been broken out of the prison which is the world.
So if we are meant to be surrendered doesn't that mean letting go and just moving with the flow? The answer is yes, and no, we must remember that if we are fugitives we are working in opposition to the rest of the world and its practices. We do this is by LIVING ON PURPOSE.
When we LIVE ON PURPOSE we don't just get caught up with the world, instead we do everything for the specific reasoning of serving and bringing glory to the original jail bird, Jesus Christ. When we LIVE ON PURPOSE every thought, decision and action should be running through the filter that is servanthood. When we live our lives through the perception of serving others, through the act of freeing others from this prison, everything else that we do; school, work, conversations, driving, eating, sleeping, buying clothes, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, all of it, will be for a reason. If we are able to live lives on purpose, an believe me its not easy, but if we are able to even do it for a matter of minutes why would we ever let ourselves get caught up in the endless spin cycle of this world's worries.
My friends, live on purpose, move for a reason, be fugitives to this place which is temporary.
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