Wow, Turkey Day, who woulda thought a bird could bring so much happiness in one day. This year for Thanksgiving I made good on the perpetual threat I've been making since I left to Baylor: That I wasn't going to come home over Thanksgiving. (Not a threat, it is just hard to get excited to drive alone for 12 hrs. for such a short break)
Since I was so blessed to see a lot of my fam in Sept. for my 21st birthday and baptism, I felt better about not going home...I miss it tho... Instead, my wonderful girlfriend convinced me that I was going home with her. (She is great...sometimes demanding) Haha, that is a lie tho, because I would be crazy to pass up an opportunity to relax at their home for any amount of time. Since I am not crazy, I eagerly awaited this weekend.
It did not come without a few twists though, and when all was said and done it was pretty fun, and crazy how we got their. You see we knew that there was a potential for her Dad to come through with free plane tickets to get us both to the Zone (AZ, for you out of the loop), which of course would be great, but it begs the question...wouldn't it be so much easier for her parents to just worry about getting Cassie home?? (Yea, believe me I tried reasoning with her, but she just got upset, and her parents are not reasonable people when it comes to doing things for people they love, they just do it.) So, although flying was a possibility, we planned on driving until the tickets were set--past experience, told Cassie that her dad liked to wait till the last minute.) But either way we were going to enjoy each other's presence over the break either on a plane or a long, long road trip (16hrs)-- we were going.
As the day approached and the last week of class was here, we planned (in detail) the things we would read, and songs we would sing, and the snacks we'd eat on our epic road trip through the night to the Zone. With less than a week away it was evident we would drive because the free tickets weren't going to work out, and buying them now was completely out of the question (although her Dad actually took the effort to look up the price for two). I began to realize the dangers, and unpleaseantries of driving for that long, which the thought of travelling with someone as amazing as Cassie had previously prevented me from seeing. Really for many people's sake (my Mom's especially) I didn't want to die in transit, and the only way I knew to guarantee a safe trip was to pray to ask God if His will was for us to see her family over break. When the answer was yes, my next request was that our interactions with her family and friends would be a sweet fragrance to Him and that His name would be praised in our safe travel. I prayed that two days before leaving, and it put my fears to rest because I thought I knew how God would keep us safe.
BUTT (that's a big but) the day before our trip (mon. after my classes) I met Cassie on campus as she was talking to her Dad who had somehow gotten the points fanaggled so that we could fly home, and come back Sat, which eliminated our drive and gave us the same amt. of time there as we planned on before. Amen! I didn't even pray for that, but what a blessing! Thanksgiving=Thank God
My wonderful week may have started there, but it did not end with that. Anyone who has been instantly welcomed by anyone who has no clue of who they are or what they are like knows what I feel when I'm around Cassie's family, and their friends at AZ Community Church. What a great picture of God's love these people present because no matter who it is, younger or older, they show their concern for me with big hugs and smiles, and they show their concern and love for Cassie by questioning me and giving me the once over. For the most part I don't say anything too dumb, and pass most of their basic inspections, but since this was my second encounter with lots of this family the mood was one of great reunion and many people there had heard through Cassie's mom of my plans to go on a medical mission trip to India this summer. So on several occasions the conversation centered around a genuine concern and passion for that trip and the work of God, it blew me away to think of all the excellent and encouraging conversations I could have in the entryway of a church. P.S. If you're like me, you are wondering why I was at church if I came back on a Sat. but that's the other cool part about these people, they understand that the point of a church is to love and care for each other, not as a place to go to become Holy, so they take advantage of every opportunity to meet with one another and celebrate the common hope of an eternal place with unfathomable satisfaction, and so they meet on Thanksgiving Eve just to see each other and praise the Lord together..how neat right?
Ok, so the last amazing experience I will share with you on this post is the thought I had while on the toilet (where all good thoughts originate) as I was thinking about the common question, "what are you thankful for?" Well, thinking about my future, this semester, I have begun to understand how thankful I am to be in the position I am in. And this is threefold. First, my position in life, at college, pursuing an education to prepare me to serve and care for kids as a pediatrician, or physician of some sort. I have begun to think back on the exalted careers of my youth, whether it be a fireman, pilot, lawyer, President, or a garbage man a doctor was always been on that list. And it blows my mind to think that I not only have the audacity to pursue such a career, but believe that God will allow for me to achieve such a position to further illustrate his power to the world. So I am definitely thankful, and humbled to be considered for such a position in this world. Secondly, I was very thankful for my position at their house. I was thankful for the community I mentioned before, but I am also thankful that my own family would be caring enough to let me celebrate away from them, and I am thankful for Cassie's family to be so gracious and loving and trusting of me with their daughter. And I was so fortunate to get time the day before playing (some call it babysitting) with Cassie's nephews, and niece, and talking with her older siblings. Finally, (and mind you I was still on the toilet thinking this) I was thankful for my position (or future position) at God's table. That the all-mighty King would consider me worthy of an invitation to join Him and the other heroes of the faith at a banquet, only a little grander than the one I and most Americans celebrate on Thanksgiving. It struck me at what a beautiful, real, picture Cassie and her family could paint for me of this glorious day. The fact that I had nothing to offer her family who desired me to come celebrate with them, I didn't even pay to park Janice at the airport! So here I am, Mr. Unworthy, sitting at a table full of food, in a comfortable chair, eating with people that have grown up with and meant more to this family for considerably longer than I have. And it just seemed too obvious that this was exactly the way God designed it, from day one, and because of Jesus (not Mr. Cork's AmEx points) we are able to get to that celebration, for FREE! How awesome is that??
Hopefully I will talk to you soon, if you're ever bored or lonely give me a call or creep me out on Facebook I'm gonna make myself check that more.
Peace
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Birthday Shout-Out (4 min)
Techno trouble kept me from writing last week (and of course lack of time). November is already here- how crazy is that!? My Dad's birthday was this past weekend (Fri.) so if you haven't wished him a happy birthday you might as well now, cause it's a long time until his next one (but what is a long time once you are as "experienced" as him??) Haha, I'm sorry, it will be a very long time before he truly gets old so...Happy Birthday Dad.
Actually, I was thinking of him this Sunday and how thankful I am for him, and how guilty I feel sometimes for taking advantage of his love for me. He really exemplifies Christ's love in that.
It wasn't the main point, but the story of the prodigal son was brought up in the sermon sunday. I love/hate reading that story. I always feel such an awkward, almost uncomfortable feeling, the Dad sees his son who has taken advantage and misused everything he had been given, and he runs out to meet him, picks him up, identifies him as a prized son by slipping a ring on his finger, and then celebrates without restraint b/c of the great joy his son has brought him. Just try and tell me that this father did not genuinely fret and think about his son every day he had been gone. That's when it gets me, what love is this?? That I should be treated with such disregard for what I've done. Unbelievable. Seriously tho, right? Unbelieveable?
I don't think so. Why? because I have felt this love. My own dad has demonstrated this love for me on many occasions throughout his long life. Imperfectly? Sure. We fought? Sure. But whether it's being ridiculously biased on my behalf in any little thing I do, or offering more and more even as I turn and misuse that responsibility. Whenever I come home from college I feel this, my dad is like my girlfriend and would hug me for hours until his muscles were too fatigued to squeeze. Yea, the whole family cleans up, and has a room ready (who woulda thought that can mean SO much??) But it's my Dad who, when I see myself as one day being as foolish as the younger son (although obviously I relate more with the elder;) I see this story in my head. And I know --exactly-- how my father would react if he ever saw me on my knees, if he ever saw me at the the bottom of a dumpster, or pig sty in this story. Even if there was no possile way he could help me he would try. No matter what it costs him, whether it was respect from family or friends, money, or time asleep or at work, he would give it in abundance to me when I neither have need, nor deserve it.
How incredibly blessed am I to honestly say this about a man in my life? How wonderfuly blessed?? Why me? Well, me because I will and have had the opportunity to show this love to others beside me, but I won't measure up to my dad's love, rather the love my heavenly father's love. That is the perfect love that my day thankfully learned from and was able to display to my family. Where would I be without my father's love? Where would WE be without our Holy Father's love?
Actually, I was thinking of him this Sunday and how thankful I am for him, and how guilty I feel sometimes for taking advantage of his love for me. He really exemplifies Christ's love in that.
It wasn't the main point, but the story of the prodigal son was brought up in the sermon sunday. I love/hate reading that story. I always feel such an awkward, almost uncomfortable feeling, the Dad sees his son who has taken advantage and misused everything he had been given, and he runs out to meet him, picks him up, identifies him as a prized son by slipping a ring on his finger, and then celebrates without restraint b/c of the great joy his son has brought him. Just try and tell me that this father did not genuinely fret and think about his son every day he had been gone. That's when it gets me, what love is this?? That I should be treated with such disregard for what I've done. Unbelievable. Seriously tho, right? Unbelieveable?
I don't think so. Why? because I have felt this love. My own dad has demonstrated this love for me on many occasions throughout his long life. Imperfectly? Sure. We fought? Sure. But whether it's being ridiculously biased on my behalf in any little thing I do, or offering more and more even as I turn and misuse that responsibility. Whenever I come home from college I feel this, my dad is like my girlfriend and would hug me for hours until his muscles were too fatigued to squeeze. Yea, the whole family cleans up, and has a room ready (who woulda thought that can mean SO much??) But it's my Dad who, when I see myself as one day being as foolish as the younger son (although obviously I relate more with the elder;) I see this story in my head. And I know --exactly-- how my father would react if he ever saw me on my knees, if he ever saw me at the the bottom of a dumpster, or pig sty in this story. Even if there was no possile way he could help me he would try. No matter what it costs him, whether it was respect from family or friends, money, or time asleep or at work, he would give it in abundance to me when I neither have need, nor deserve it.
How incredibly blessed am I to honestly say this about a man in my life? How wonderfuly blessed?? Why me? Well, me because I will and have had the opportunity to show this love to others beside me, but I won't measure up to my dad's love, rather the love my heavenly father's love. That is the perfect love that my day thankfully learned from and was able to display to my family. Where would I be without my father's love? Where would WE be without our Holy Father's love?
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Week Before last (Oct 7-12)-> 7min
It's funny to think of all of you reading my last post about the beginning of my week before last because from that day on, the rest of the week was so much less enjoyable.
Whoa, don't get me wrong (that's easy to do while reading something typed) I had some incredibly great moments, but as far as tough moments go, I had a fair amount of those as well. The tough stuff first, (then we can celebrate at the end:)
I loved that week, especially Wed, Thur, and Fri, mostly because through the tough times God taught me things only learnable in difficult circumstances (and these weren't even that rough). For example, I learned that in order to have mountains one must have valleys. This is true, because otherwise the entire landscape would be flat=lame (Oklahoma??). Baahaha, that image just came to mind.
So, I am very thankful for the valleys of my life, for that reason and there are experiences one can only have on moutain tops (check the profile pic) and experiences only to be had in valleys, and both are equally rare and precious.
Ok, enough of that silly optimism, (not silly) but really this was the first time in my life where my miserable day on Wed. was not a bad day at all, because I learned invaluable stuff.
It started with rolling over after I woke up, and missing an opportunity to pray and worship with a group of great friends. What really made this miserable is I was supposed to 1) Open the room we meet in, and 2) I was pretty involved with planning the focus of that time(Jesus). Needless to say I was pretty embarassed, very humbled, by my own selfishness, idiocracy, and gratification of that all too familiar desire to sleep. It's needed- one of those things we are designed to need, but too much or too little is NOT good (just ask goldy locks).
If that in itself wouldn't wreck your day, check this out. After taking a brief trip in the fresh air, I could tell a significant difference in air quality between that on my hall and outside... I was soon to hear that early that morning a group of guys chased a skunk around outside, tried to catch it, and brought its stench (oh yea skunks spray, who woulda thought?)back into our hall. The rest of my day seemed to be consumed with talking with the large group of kids involved, and going through the very frustrating experience of getting lied to when I knew things they weren't telling me. Aside from that, this was the culmination of many instances where ridiculous stuff was done to the hallway, bathroom, and other people's specific rooms that was unnccessary, damaging, and just rude and disrespectful. So, the next four nights I was up late writing reports, and "busting" people who could not respect people's environment and sleep, which cost me sleep and time w/ hw, which is just not a highlight of my job.
Also, despite my extra- ohhh- 1.5 hours of sleep, the entire day I was walking around with my head in a fog, and I could not keep my eyes open or my mind focused all day. Huh, and all this time I thought it was sleep that gave me rest and energy?? Yea, well I learned otherwise. It became real apparent that the more I slept the more dependant I became on sleep (which is not very dependable...or as the Bible puts it-- faithful), and the inverse is true: the more time I spend with God, the more dependant I become on him.
Yea, so not the most easily enjoyed couple of days, BUTT I think realizing how the whole world does not spin because of anything I do, and growing to trust my big God with the absolutely tiny things in my life is certainly worth a short day of discomfort.
Ok, I told you there was some awesome stuff that happened too. The CEO (president?) of a hospital in town just so happens to be a girl's dad who I worked with this summer. I got the opportunity to go in and meet with him, and it was SO sweet. He is one of the nicest, most welcoming people I have ever met. I don't think he's reading this, but just in case-- there is no one I know who would be more fun, or pleasing to work for-- ok, enough of that. Pretty much it was awesome to talk to him about everything from Sandy Koufax to Kazahkstan (?), Pine Cove to medicine, about himself, myself, and Jesus, it was saweet!
So I'm obviously looking forward to shadowing the doctors at the hospital and will Lord willingly soon get a paying position and get to know more of the 50 people he introduced me to. And the actual job will be a great way to earn funds to get my plane ticket to India, while I get experience seeing the hospital. Being there definitely motivated my studying, because I know verrrry little of what I will know in the next 10 years :).
Anyway, I hope you feel like you got a little better insight to my week, and I hope you call me soon, so we can catch up with what's going on in your life. If the comp. didn't give me troubles there would be pics up of my mohawk/ everything else. Take luck, peace.
Whoa, don't get me wrong (that's easy to do while reading something typed) I had some incredibly great moments, but as far as tough moments go, I had a fair amount of those as well. The tough stuff first, (then we can celebrate at the end:)
I loved that week, especially Wed, Thur, and Fri, mostly because through the tough times God taught me things only learnable in difficult circumstances (and these weren't even that rough). For example, I learned that in order to have mountains one must have valleys. This is true, because otherwise the entire landscape would be flat=lame (Oklahoma??). Baahaha, that image just came to mind.
So, I am very thankful for the valleys of my life, for that reason and there are experiences one can only have on moutain tops (check the profile pic) and experiences only to be had in valleys, and both are equally rare and precious.
Ok, enough of that silly optimism, (not silly) but really this was the first time in my life where my miserable day on Wed. was not a bad day at all, because I learned invaluable stuff.
It started with rolling over after I woke up, and missing an opportunity to pray and worship with a group of great friends. What really made this miserable is I was supposed to 1) Open the room we meet in, and 2) I was pretty involved with planning the focus of that time(Jesus). Needless to say I was pretty embarassed, very humbled, by my own selfishness, idiocracy, and gratification of that all too familiar desire to sleep. It's needed- one of those things we are designed to need, but too much or too little is NOT good (just ask goldy locks).
If that in itself wouldn't wreck your day, check this out. After taking a brief trip in the fresh air, I could tell a significant difference in air quality between that on my hall and outside... I was soon to hear that early that morning a group of guys chased a skunk around outside, tried to catch it, and brought its stench (oh yea skunks spray, who woulda thought?)back into our hall. The rest of my day seemed to be consumed with talking with the large group of kids involved, and going through the very frustrating experience of getting lied to when I knew things they weren't telling me. Aside from that, this was the culmination of many instances where ridiculous stuff was done to the hallway, bathroom, and other people's specific rooms that was unnccessary, damaging, and just rude and disrespectful. So, the next four nights I was up late writing reports, and "busting" people who could not respect people's environment and sleep, which cost me sleep and time w/ hw, which is just not a highlight of my job.
Also, despite my extra- ohhh- 1.5 hours of sleep, the entire day I was walking around with my head in a fog, and I could not keep my eyes open or my mind focused all day. Huh, and all this time I thought it was sleep that gave me rest and energy?? Yea, well I learned otherwise. It became real apparent that the more I slept the more dependant I became on sleep (which is not very dependable...or as the Bible puts it-- faithful), and the inverse is true: the more time I spend with God, the more dependant I become on him.
Yea, so not the most easily enjoyed couple of days, BUTT I think realizing how the whole world does not spin because of anything I do, and growing to trust my big God with the absolutely tiny things in my life is certainly worth a short day of discomfort.
Ok, I told you there was some awesome stuff that happened too. The CEO (president?) of a hospital in town just so happens to be a girl's dad who I worked with this summer. I got the opportunity to go in and meet with him, and it was SO sweet. He is one of the nicest, most welcoming people I have ever met. I don't think he's reading this, but just in case-- there is no one I know who would be more fun, or pleasing to work for-- ok, enough of that. Pretty much it was awesome to talk to him about everything from Sandy Koufax to Kazahkstan (?), Pine Cove to medicine, about himself, myself, and Jesus, it was saweet!
So I'm obviously looking forward to shadowing the doctors at the hospital and will Lord willingly soon get a paying position and get to know more of the 50 people he introduced me to. And the actual job will be a great way to earn funds to get my plane ticket to India, while I get experience seeing the hospital. Being there definitely motivated my studying, because I know verrrry little of what I will know in the next 10 years :).
Anyway, I hope you feel like you got a little better insight to my week, and I hope you call me soon, so we can catch up with what's going on in your life. If the comp. didn't give me troubles there would be pics up of my mohawk/ everything else. Take luck, peace.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Times (1.5)
Wow, this weekend ended with flurry. And the beginning of this week has started out so great! I got motivated to start praying to my big God for big things, crazy big. I haven't had a crazy world changing moment like Paul yet, but it totally blew me away how immediately it was evident that God was working and changing people's hearts, and the immediate encouragement I got from some pretty random people was unbleievable yesterday.
On Sunday morn. I started a post so I will get to that soon, and I have some pictures to get on here so you can see some of what I'm talking about. BUTT other than that I wanted to let you know about the new thing in the title of my future and current posts. It's in ( ) and in honor of your time, you may notice a number in the titles of my current and future posts. That represents the official timed trial of how long it may take to read that post. I guess you could take that number and add it to however long it takes you to comment or email me back and that would be just like a phone conversation, but with free minutes:)
Peace
Pray for my hall, that I can show them Christ's love in all I do
Pray for Allison/ our small group, she and we have a lot of tests this week (she probably has as many as us combined)
Worship God for the amazing involvement he has in my life (and yours! :-) Even when I don't notice
On Sunday morn. I started a post so I will get to that soon, and I have some pictures to get on here so you can see some of what I'm talking about. BUTT other than that I wanted to let you know about the new thing in the title of my future and current posts. It's in ( ) and in honor of your time, you may notice a number in the titles of my current and future posts. That represents the official timed trial of how long it may take to read that post. I guess you could take that number and add it to however long it takes you to comment or email me back and that would be just like a phone conversation, but with free minutes:)
Peace
Pray for my hall, that I can show them Christ's love in all I do
Pray for Allison/ our small group, she and we have a lot of tests this week (she probably has as many as us combined)
Worship God for the amazing involvement he has in my life (and yours! :-) Even when I don't notice
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pedal to the Metal (medal? hah, almost wrote that)
I haven't slept much. I mean...the Chacos I wore to the shower that I took before I went to bed last night were still wet when I got up (later) this morning...Why am I so excited for the day? Why am I so pumped for the week slash excited to get on with the day?? (well, maybe cause I don't have any more tests) I dunno, because this is the day the LORD has made so I will rejoice and be glad in it. If anyone thinks that I don't mean that or am hyped up on caffeine, you're wrong and you would know it if you saw me right now. (If you're not a morning person you would probably take my life). God made coffee tho, and for some people it helps them better do His work, but at this stage in my life, I do not plan on ever needing the artificial energy boost/joy supplement but will gladly accept it if the occasion arises.
Anyway, off of this little sleep it has blown my mind how uniquely awe-some each day is. Well, for starters lets get you caught up w/ the week:
-I did well on my Tai Chi midterm yesterday=I don't have to go to that class the rest of the week
- Yesterday was spent in constant motion, but it worked out so that I was always on time to things until finally at the end when I showed up 6mins late to staff meeting (suck)
- I had a BLAST celebrating Abby's birthday last night and watching my Vikings finally strut their stuff on offense AND defense (The Pack did show up to play tho Abby)
- I ate way too much homemade ice cream, and cake balls while enjoying afore mentioned football game (and am repenting for that. Too much=ok: way too much= not what God designed ice cream for)
- I stayed up late doing rounds with Coach, and started a lab write up that I'll have done by 5:3p today.
Ok, so pretty great week so far wouldn't you agree? Good, well as I said, yesterday bled into today, but even tho it took a good ten mins to feel alive this morning I have just been under a barrage of realizations about my life, and life in general. (mmm Life- I want a bowl right now...no, actually I'm still full from all that ice cream, maybe an apple...)
This morning has been significant and different than most recent mornings 1) because it started a little earlier and 2) because God has just been at work in my life in a huge way already and that is scary mostly because it just seems too early for so many huge things to be dumped on someone at once. Here's what I'm going through:
I prayed last night that God would get me up on His time, that it be his will that I pursue in the morning, and that, that will would include going to Cassie's 6:15a cycle (spinning) class (so I could work off that ice cream). I knew it was gonna be an early morning though. This resulted in me waking up at 4:45a (perfect amount of time to study before (finally) getting a solid workout in that would hopefully magically turn me into Robert Griffin (w/good ACLs) for flag football intramurals that start Wed. BUTT before I could get to that workout(Robbie G -- you'll have to wait) God surprised me again by picking me up twirling me like a Globetrotter's basketball, and slam dunking me into the Truth like fried okra into gravy at Bush's on half priced Sundays (too much simile?? OK, I'll tone it down) and you outside of waco probably don't get that anyway...sorry. ANyway, At least since school started I've been wanting to get into Isaiah (which means YAHWEH is salvation...pretty cool name)
Today was my third day dealing w/ this and I think it will play a small part in determining my week/life in general. I would suggest this book to you, but only if you desire to be kicked in the face with some hard to grapple with truths (which I will pray you do desire and enJOY receiving). So today I was following up yesterday's amazing face stomping with the end of ch. 1 (I couldn't take it ok??) So bear w/ me I'll give you the high points.
In verse 21 it says, "How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice." Ouch...WTH!? How is this possible?? Are you shocked with me? Like, this wasn't the "at risk city" this wasn't the city that came from a struggling home, or was genetically predisposed, this was the faithful city that was the whore. Crazy...this got my attention right away I guess, because if anything I usually would think of myself as the faithful city...not today.
"Everyone loves a bribe" (v. 23). Booya! Now tell me the Bible isn't true! Hah, from the age of zero I have loved a bribe. Ok, so aside from "positive reinforcement" how did this apply to them (Israel) and to me? Well, yesterday I read about how sick God was of the hearts of His people b/c they kept bringing these bloody sacrifices to him thinking that it would "win him over" or make him judge them favorably (probably b/c that was what all their polytheistic friends were doing....) nahhh, whoever is around you doesn't have an impact on who you are- you're your own person! (catch the sarcasm) Anyway, Israel was trying to manipulate God w/ sacrifices... butte thankfully I have never tried to manipulate God.... ...(I was gonna write something else, but I think dots are more appropriate as I am just thinking of all the things I catch myself doing that have motives to "manipulate," if you will,-- God)....
Skipping over some good stuff so you don't quit reading, the real kicker for me this morning was in verse 29, "For you will be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen." WHAAT?? Now, in this context, the only thing I could relate to oaks was something I learned in the BIC freshman year about Gilgamesh and some amazing cedar forest they worshipped so I knew that must have been complete garbage if it came from the BIC (haha jk, HOLLA) Either way I was at a loss until I read this in the notes of my sweet ESV study Bible, "the oaks...the gardens [Suggests] pagan, and probably Caananite, rites of worship (57:5, 65:3, 66:17) mixed into the life of God's own people."
Then it made sense. I don't have a problem worshipping trees (although I am more Granola than a lot of people in TX), but I wrote in the journal I keep about my time with God, "+What is mixed into my life? How are these the same?" Mmm good question I think. Then I went on:
"+I will be ashamed of my pursuit for grades/knowledge/even wisdom because they will look pathetic compared to the Lord's.
+ I will be ashamed of all the girls I desired in my past and future because they will look pathetic to the one God has laid out for me (not necessarily Cassie... it's true...) but more so, the "love" I could ever feel to anyone will look utterly pathetic compared to God's love for me specifically and ALL humanity. So if I worship/focus my strength on love alone, I will be embarrassed.
+I will blush for ever wanting to devote time just to make my body look better, 1) when I'm old I will be embarrassed (but I can't wait to get my old man strength) and 2) when I
receive the perfect body that I spend ETERNITY in, I will be embarrassed that I wasted so much time on earth for such a flawed, fleshly body."
Yea, so that was directly out of my journal, there is more on this passage as a whole, especially v. 28 and others, so read it and comment back to me about it and how God used it in your life, that, would be great. Otherwise, these last two questions were written in my journal that apply to more than just me:
+ Are we, as Christians (others, this doesn't apply) going to be ashamed of secular things that have crept into our worship? (I'm not talkin drumsets, think deeper)
"+ I'm thinking: Are we going to be ashamed some day of giving money to things that entertain/ comfort us w/o any thought of what God could do/ would do w/ that money? + Are we going to blush because we dedicated our time to things like football that we can devote a solid two hours to on Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun instead of devoting more than two hours a WEEK to the work of God's kingdom? (Oh, I forgot about fantasy teams...that's more time)"
Feelin' where I'm coming from? I mean, you know where I'm coming from. It's the football capital of the World, no one takes football more seriously than Texans (and if you do, shame on you). But, I mean, I mentioned football at the beginning of this post...TWICE... so does that contradict what those questions may have implied to you?? No, because one thing going to football games has taught me is that I should be -not equally- MORE excited about Jesus than I am about football. And I can show that excitement the same way as I do at football games, with cheering, and smiles, and high-fives, and cries of anguish/unbelief at what I'm seeing/hearing, amen?
Mainly what I've learned about football in my life is that I want to live a life SO CONSISTENT that the same excitement and way I live at football games should mimic my life while at church/around church friends and vice versa. (Yes I wear a shirt at church, but if people wanted to stay for a church service, outside, in the pouring rain, I would feel completely comfortable taking my shirt off and praising JESUS with all my heart and not all my clothes.) Amen? Ok, wow, that really took off and went somewhere I was not planning, but I'll proofread it and make sure there is nothing in there I would disagree with, so you can let me know what you think. Wrestle with some things with God this week, maybe ask yourself, "what are you going to be ashamed of?" Change them.
Anyway, off of this little sleep it has blown my mind how uniquely awe-some each day is. Well, for starters lets get you caught up w/ the week:
-I did well on my Tai Chi midterm yesterday=I don't have to go to that class the rest of the week
- Yesterday was spent in constant motion, but it worked out so that I was always on time to things until finally at the end when I showed up 6mins late to staff meeting (suck)
- I had a BLAST celebrating Abby's birthday last night and watching my Vikings finally strut their stuff on offense AND defense (The Pack did show up to play tho Abby)
- I ate way too much homemade ice cream, and cake balls while enjoying afore mentioned football game (and am repenting for that. Too much=ok: way too much= not what God designed ice cream for)
- I stayed up late doing rounds with Coach, and started a lab write up that I'll have done by 5:3p today.
Ok, so pretty great week so far wouldn't you agree? Good, well as I said, yesterday bled into today, but even tho it took a good ten mins to feel alive this morning I have just been under a barrage of realizations about my life, and life in general. (mmm Life- I want a bowl right now...no, actually I'm still full from all that ice cream, maybe an apple...)
This morning has been significant and different than most recent mornings 1) because it started a little earlier and 2) because God has just been at work in my life in a huge way already and that is scary mostly because it just seems too early for so many huge things to be dumped on someone at once. Here's what I'm going through:
I prayed last night that God would get me up on His time, that it be his will that I pursue in the morning, and that, that will would include going to Cassie's 6:15a cycle (spinning) class (so I could work off that ice cream). I knew it was gonna be an early morning though. This resulted in me waking up at 4:45a (perfect amount of time to study before (finally) getting a solid workout in that would hopefully magically turn me into Robert Griffin (w/good ACLs) for flag football intramurals that start Wed. BUTT before I could get to that workout(Robbie G -- you'll have to wait) God surprised me again by picking me up twirling me like a Globetrotter's basketball, and slam dunking me into the Truth like fried okra into gravy at Bush's on half priced Sundays (too much simile?? OK, I'll tone it down) and you outside of waco probably don't get that anyway...sorry. ANyway, At least since school started I've been wanting to get into Isaiah (which means YAHWEH is salvation...pretty cool name)
Today was my third day dealing w/ this and I think it will play a small part in determining my week/life in general. I would suggest this book to you, but only if you desire to be kicked in the face with some hard to grapple with truths (which I will pray you do desire and enJOY receiving). So today I was following up yesterday's amazing face stomping with the end of ch. 1 (I couldn't take it ok??) So bear w/ me I'll give you the high points.
In verse 21 it says, "How the faithful city has become a whore, she who was full of justice." Ouch...WTH!? How is this possible?? Are you shocked with me? Like, this wasn't the "at risk city" this wasn't the city that came from a struggling home, or was genetically predisposed, this was the faithful city that was the whore. Crazy...this got my attention right away I guess, because if anything I usually would think of myself as the faithful city...not today.
"Everyone loves a bribe" (v. 23). Booya! Now tell me the Bible isn't true! Hah, from the age of zero I have loved a bribe. Ok, so aside from "positive reinforcement" how did this apply to them (Israel) and to me? Well, yesterday I read about how sick God was of the hearts of His people b/c they kept bringing these bloody sacrifices to him thinking that it would "win him over" or make him judge them favorably (probably b/c that was what all their polytheistic friends were doing....) nahhh, whoever is around you doesn't have an impact on who you are- you're your own person! (catch the sarcasm) Anyway, Israel was trying to manipulate God w/ sacrifices... butte thankfully I have never tried to manipulate God.... ...(I was gonna write something else, but I think dots are more appropriate as I am just thinking of all the things I catch myself doing that have motives to "manipulate," if you will,-- God)....
Skipping over some good stuff so you don't quit reading, the real kicker for me this morning was in verse 29, "For you will be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen." WHAAT?? Now, in this context, the only thing I could relate to oaks was something I learned in the BIC freshman year about Gilgamesh and some amazing cedar forest they worshipped so I knew that must have been complete garbage if it came from the BIC (haha jk, HOLLA) Either way I was at a loss until I read this in the notes of my sweet ESV study Bible, "the oaks...the gardens [Suggests] pagan, and probably Caananite, rites of worship (57:5, 65:3, 66:17) mixed into the life of God's own people."
Then it made sense. I don't have a problem worshipping trees (although I am more Granola than a lot of people in TX), but I wrote in the journal I keep about my time with God, "+What is mixed into my life? How are these the same?" Mmm good question I think. Then I went on:
"+I will be ashamed of my pursuit for grades/knowledge/even wisdom because they will look pathetic compared to the Lord's.
+ I will be ashamed of all the girls I desired in my past and future because they will look pathetic to the one God has laid out for me (not necessarily Cassie... it's true...) but more so, the "love" I could ever feel to anyone will look utterly pathetic compared to God's love for me specifically and ALL humanity. So if I worship/focus my strength on love alone, I will be embarrassed.
+I will blush for ever wanting to devote time just to make my body look better, 1) when I'm old I will be embarrassed (but I can't wait to get my old man strength) and 2) when I
receive the perfect body that I spend ETERNITY in, I will be embarrassed that I wasted so much time on earth for such a flawed, fleshly body."
Yea, so that was directly out of my journal, there is more on this passage as a whole, especially v. 28 and others, so read it and comment back to me about it and how God used it in your life, that, would be great. Otherwise, these last two questions were written in my journal that apply to more than just me:
+ Are we, as Christians (others, this doesn't apply) going to be ashamed of secular things that have crept into our worship? (I'm not talkin drumsets, think deeper)
"+ I'm thinking: Are we going to be ashamed some day of giving money to things that entertain/ comfort us w/o any thought of what God could do/ would do w/ that money? + Are we going to blush because we dedicated our time to things like football that we can devote a solid two hours to on Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun instead of devoting more than two hours a WEEK to the work of God's kingdom? (Oh, I forgot about fantasy teams...that's more time)"
Feelin' where I'm coming from? I mean, you know where I'm coming from. It's the football capital of the World, no one takes football more seriously than Texans (and if you do, shame on you). But, I mean, I mentioned football at the beginning of this post...TWICE... so does that contradict what those questions may have implied to you?? No, because one thing going to football games has taught me is that I should be -not equally- MORE excited about Jesus than I am about football. And I can show that excitement the same way as I do at football games, with cheering, and smiles, and high-fives, and cries of anguish/unbelief at what I'm seeing/hearing, amen?
Mainly what I've learned about football in my life is that I want to live a life SO CONSISTENT that the same excitement and way I live at football games should mimic my life while at church/around church friends and vice versa. (Yes I wear a shirt at church, but if people wanted to stay for a church service, outside, in the pouring rain, I would feel completely comfortable taking my shirt off and praising JESUS with all my heart and not all my clothes.) Amen? Ok, wow, that really took off and went somewhere I was not planning, but I'll proofread it and make sure there is nothing in there I would disagree with, so you can let me know what you think. Wrestle with some things with God this week, maybe ask yourself, "what are you going to be ashamed of?" Change them.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Purpose
HEYO! What an awesome website where you can get down and FUNKY. Ha, ok enough Mr. Funk, why the heck would anyone want to read your blog, I mean just the word sounds comical -- but not in a good-funny way--
Well, I don't know why you felt like you had the time to check this out, but I do know why I am going to spend time every week trying to make this worth your time.
Why have a blog?...ugh, does that word just sound...weird to anyone else. Anyway, I have noticed since I am no longer an active partaker in the wonders of The 'Book that I do not know important everday details about everyone I genuinely would like to hear from (and Facebook is such a weak representation of who people are). Likewise, many, many people that deserve phone calls from me throughout the week so I can share what crazy or insane things I have been doing do not get them...because there just isn't enough time in a day. (and the days are going fast) SO, if I haven't talked or heard from you in a week or more (a year?) so many things would have happened that you and I are completely changed and different from the last time we talked, how can we stay connected?? Well, I intend to make this website (ahh, a better word) something where through pictures and "posts" and stories and thoughts you all can share in my life experiences and relate to me through your own I'm sure.
Now, if this isn't your cup of tea, I am totally not offended if you never read this again, but for those of you that do, please, please don't just read it. Write a response (if you can do that) or send me an email OR (this is crazy) give me a call and tell me about what is going on in your life!:) I mean if any of these things occur more often as a result of me posting on here I would consider this a big success.
To give you an idea of future posts; this summer I first had this crazy thought of starting a blog, because it was another transformational summer in the life of John Funk, which too many of you don't know about, but don't feel left out if you haven't seen/heard from me in a year or more because I will catch you up on high points of the last couple years, as well as before you knew me-when I was a little (chubby) kid. So occasionally I will post retrospective stories on where I came and things that will tell alot of why I am the way I am, haha. Also, every week (minimum) I will post (probably on Sun.- that's when I have a little time) a synopsis and any pictures detailing what life was like that week.
This form of writing about my week has changed several times the last couple of years. I thought it was so weird (and cool) that my parents had no idea who my friends were and what I was doing when I came to college that I wrote to them weekly about people and things that happened. And obviously even that is not a sufficient way to communicate w/ everyone I want to. This was cool, until I wanted to keep my thoughts to myself so I can remember the little things that make my life awesome so I started writing them down in notebooks and such (ITS A JOURNAL OK!? Get over it)...it's not a diary!
Ok, so now I am totally comfortable and desiring to type what I normally would write for myself (cause its faster to type than write) so that you can read it and instantly catch up with and be in a moment with me while I am away. And it's totally an acceptable conversation starter when you're around me, I mean I won't think you're a creeper for reading something I posted online in order for you to read it, haha. Anyway, I hope you appreciate the candidness of future posts, and the look into my life, BUTT this blog won't benefit me at all if I do not hear how your life relates, or the advice you have for me, or how you had a similar (or completely opposite) weeks. Let this be the initial step into a two way dialogue between me and you who I care to know more about because that is what excites me the most!
Peace
Well, I don't know why you felt like you had the time to check this out, but I do know why I am going to spend time every week trying to make this worth your time.
Why have a blog?...ugh, does that word just sound...weird to anyone else. Anyway, I have noticed since I am no longer an active partaker in the wonders of The 'Book that I do not know important everday details about everyone I genuinely would like to hear from (and Facebook is such a weak representation of who people are). Likewise, many, many people that deserve phone calls from me throughout the week so I can share what crazy or insane things I have been doing do not get them...because there just isn't enough time in a day. (and the days are going fast) SO, if I haven't talked or heard from you in a week or more (a year?) so many things would have happened that you and I are completely changed and different from the last time we talked, how can we stay connected?? Well, I intend to make this website (ahh, a better word) something where through pictures and "posts" and stories and thoughts you all can share in my life experiences and relate to me through your own I'm sure.
Now, if this isn't your cup of tea, I am totally not offended if you never read this again, but for those of you that do, please, please don't just read it. Write a response (if you can do that) or send me an email OR (this is crazy) give me a call and tell me about what is going on in your life!:) I mean if any of these things occur more often as a result of me posting on here I would consider this a big success.
To give you an idea of future posts; this summer I first had this crazy thought of starting a blog, because it was another transformational summer in the life of John Funk, which too many of you don't know about, but don't feel left out if you haven't seen/heard from me in a year or more because I will catch you up on high points of the last couple years, as well as before you knew me-when I was a little (chubby) kid. So occasionally I will post retrospective stories on where I came and things that will tell alot of why I am the way I am, haha. Also, every week (minimum) I will post (probably on Sun.- that's when I have a little time) a synopsis and any pictures detailing what life was like that week.
This form of writing about my week has changed several times the last couple of years. I thought it was so weird (and cool) that my parents had no idea who my friends were and what I was doing when I came to college that I wrote to them weekly about people and things that happened. And obviously even that is not a sufficient way to communicate w/ everyone I want to. This was cool, until I wanted to keep my thoughts to myself so I can remember the little things that make my life awesome so I started writing them down in notebooks and such (ITS A JOURNAL OK!? Get over it)...it's not a diary!
Ok, so now I am totally comfortable and desiring to type what I normally would write for myself (cause its faster to type than write) so that you can read it and instantly catch up with and be in a moment with me while I am away. And it's totally an acceptable conversation starter when you're around me, I mean I won't think you're a creeper for reading something I posted online in order for you to read it, haha. Anyway, I hope you appreciate the candidness of future posts, and the look into my life, BUTT this blog won't benefit me at all if I do not hear how your life relates, or the advice you have for me, or how you had a similar (or completely opposite) weeks. Let this be the initial step into a two way dialogue between me and you who I care to know more about because that is what excites me the most!
Peace
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