yoyo so in leadership we watched this amazing ted talk. you can watch it here (aka please watch it for a better understanding of what is to come). and i think i had watched it before but just struck a different cord this time. i have some friends who are seniors this year or just juniors graduating early. and there is pretty much two camps, those who know what they are doing next and those who have no freaking clue. and though not graduating too soon, i would still count myself in the latter group. i mean sure i have a "plan" but what is that worth?
so how i saw simon pinek's talk relating to me was that i should be worrying less about the "what" and more about the "why". if i decide i want to be a circus clown, that makes the next step easy to follow because the path is defined. but that "what" may change. if i want to be a circus clown because it is the most practical way to live out my "why" of desiring to put smiles on as many faces as possible, then if at some point i can't be a clown, there are other "whats" that i can pursue with that same "why".
so i'm trying to communicate that the why is what is important. the why is what will last, will sustain a vocation, will sustain life. i'll give an example. my why is definitely a work in progress but it goes something like this:
i desire to serve and care for those who cannot care for themselves. i need to provide something tangible and address physical needs as a conduit for addressing spiritual needs. and in all that i do, allowing my relationship with Christ to direct my actions.
i realize the what's and why's can get confusing. if i'm putting it simply it is this, i think that we all have a God-given purpose. i don't necessarily know mine for sure. and i don't think that we all have a God-given job. but i believe that in seeking and finding that purpose will give more confirmation to a vocation you choose.
so join me in praying for, seeking your "why".
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Til Death Do Us Part...
On Dec. 27th 2012 my grandpa, whom we called "Papa", slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God. After a battle with lung cancer that just recently was discovered in May he succumbed to the disease that tore through his body. I quote Ronald Reagan after the Challenger disaster to describe my Papa's persona: "He had that special grace - that special spirit that said, 'Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy.'"
Yep, Papa was one of a kind, always there for every sporting event, always quick to crack a joke and talk politics with anyone. He was a special man. As the preparations for his funeral and memorial service have been taking place I've gotten multiple chances of listening in on conversations about who this man was, but the greatest relationship that sticks out to me is the one he had with Nona, his wife.
My those two were two peas in a pod to say the least. My mom had always commented to me growing up that Nona and Papa had the best relationship she'd ever seen. They were always joking and needling each other and trying to get the other one all flustered so they could laugh it off later together. The funniest story I heard about them is one that Nona tells. It was the first time she ever met Papa and he walked straight up to her and said, "We're gonna get married." To which she responded with, "Get away from me, you crazy!" Yeah, I'd say they were solid from the beginning. But according to his promise, he wooed her and won her heart, and from that point on they were inseparable.
They say actions speak louder than words, and Papa was one who showed his love for his Nona. From the ridiculous to the mundane, Papa was one who always listened and was happy to oblige the wishes of his bride. I remember riding in the car with them and Papa had her country music blaring through the speakers while she hummed along and sang to the songs. Did he particularly like country music? Nah, he always switched it to talk radio as soon as he dropped her off at work, but the gesture of "I'm gonna do whatever you want because I love you" was there. You could see clearly that he had the biggest soft spot for his Nona.
When the time was drawing near this late December, Papa still had unfinished business. From hearing the conversations over the phone and visiting the day before he left us, Papa wasn't ready to die until the last moments. He didn't want to leave Nona. He had ingrained in him the duty to take care of her and he wasn't about to let death stand in his way. On the day of his passing, Papa fell asleep and the nurses told Nona that he probably wouldn't wake up. The minutes ticked by with Papa's raspy breathing becoming louder and louder. Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked straight at the wife of his youth. His breathing quieted and he calmed down. That's when she reassured him that she would be well taken care of and he had nothing to worry about. With that, he slipped into eternity.
This made me think of those vows taken at the altar by all couples at the onset of their new beginning together. "To love and to cherish, to have and to hold.....something something......til death do us part." Nowadays those words have little meaning with divorce rates high and men dumping one for another. What does this tell me? Marriage ain't easy. It isn't for the faint of heart. Judging by the amount of people these days busting out the backdoor, the notion of marriage maybe isn't as glitzy and glamorous as the fairy tales go. But I know it takes a real man to see it through. To actually do what he promised to do on his wedding day. Not many "boys who can shave" can say that (don't even deserve to be called "men").
Well, my friends, Papa can. He did what he promised to the end.
Yep, Papa was one of a kind, always there for every sporting event, always quick to crack a joke and talk politics with anyone. He was a special man. As the preparations for his funeral and memorial service have been taking place I've gotten multiple chances of listening in on conversations about who this man was, but the greatest relationship that sticks out to me is the one he had with Nona, his wife.
My those two were two peas in a pod to say the least. My mom had always commented to me growing up that Nona and Papa had the best relationship she'd ever seen. They were always joking and needling each other and trying to get the other one all flustered so they could laugh it off later together. The funniest story I heard about them is one that Nona tells. It was the first time she ever met Papa and he walked straight up to her and said, "We're gonna get married." To which she responded with, "Get away from me, you crazy!" Yeah, I'd say they were solid from the beginning. But according to his promise, he wooed her and won her heart, and from that point on they were inseparable.
They say actions speak louder than words, and Papa was one who showed his love for his Nona. From the ridiculous to the mundane, Papa was one who always listened and was happy to oblige the wishes of his bride. I remember riding in the car with them and Papa had her country music blaring through the speakers while she hummed along and sang to the songs. Did he particularly like country music? Nah, he always switched it to talk radio as soon as he dropped her off at work, but the gesture of "I'm gonna do whatever you want because I love you" was there. You could see clearly that he had the biggest soft spot for his Nona.
When the time was drawing near this late December, Papa still had unfinished business. From hearing the conversations over the phone and visiting the day before he left us, Papa wasn't ready to die until the last moments. He didn't want to leave Nona. He had ingrained in him the duty to take care of her and he wasn't about to let death stand in his way. On the day of his passing, Papa fell asleep and the nurses told Nona that he probably wouldn't wake up. The minutes ticked by with Papa's raspy breathing becoming louder and louder. Suddenly he opened his eyes and looked straight at the wife of his youth. His breathing quieted and he calmed down. That's when she reassured him that she would be well taken care of and he had nothing to worry about. With that, he slipped into eternity.
This made me think of those vows taken at the altar by all couples at the onset of their new beginning together. "To love and to cherish, to have and to hold.....something something......til death do us part." Nowadays those words have little meaning with divorce rates high and men dumping one for another. What does this tell me? Marriage ain't easy. It isn't for the faint of heart. Judging by the amount of people these days busting out the backdoor, the notion of marriage maybe isn't as glitzy and glamorous as the fairy tales go. But I know it takes a real man to see it through. To actually do what he promised to do on his wedding day. Not many "boys who can shave" can say that (don't even deserve to be called "men").
Well, my friends, Papa can. He did what he promised to the end.
Friday, January 4, 2013
new years.
granted, this would be more timely had it been posted on new year's eve or january first but it is coming now so deal with it.
i haven't ever thought about new year's and the meaning or symbolism behind it but it struck me funny this year when there were so many ads surrounding resolutions and changing yourself for the new year. i'm all for the exciting incident or incentive that a new calendar year may bring to one's life but i found myself so much more reflective than futuristic at the end of 2012 and dawn of 2013. there is a saying that says hindsight is always 20/20 while looking forward is often less than that basically emphasizing the importance of reflection. and besides the importance, think of the practicalness. try as i may, i'll never predict the future. James 4:13-15 seems pretty straight forward that we do not even know our next moments. if the fragility of life wasn't enough, we have the impending coming of the Kingdom. so relish our past, our experiences, our failures and triumphs. for 2013 is sure to hold them too, i just do not know if we need to plan them.
i haven't ever thought about new year's and the meaning or symbolism behind it but it struck me funny this year when there were so many ads surrounding resolutions and changing yourself for the new year. i'm all for the exciting incident or incentive that a new calendar year may bring to one's life but i found myself so much more reflective than futuristic at the end of 2012 and dawn of 2013. there is a saying that says hindsight is always 20/20 while looking forward is often less than that basically emphasizing the importance of reflection. and besides the importance, think of the practicalness. try as i may, i'll never predict the future. James 4:13-15 seems pretty straight forward that we do not even know our next moments. if the fragility of life wasn't enough, we have the impending coming of the Kingdom. so relish our past, our experiences, our failures and triumphs. for 2013 is sure to hold them too, i just do not know if we need to plan them.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
A Call To Remember and Obey
This is one of my favorite thanksgiving passages, the Lord provides:
Deuteronomy 8
11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.
Love you guys, I am thankful for you guys and thank God that I have two amazing brothers to walk along side me through life. Happy Thanksgiving.
Deuteronomy 8
8 “Be
careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will
live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 2 Remember how the Lord
your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling
you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or
not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes,
he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with
manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to
teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by
every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.
6 “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the Lord
your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools
of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and
hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It
is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land
where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.
Love you guys, I am thankful for you guys and thank God that I have two amazing brothers to walk along side me through life. Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
prosperity gospel?
so i've been in the library a tad too many hours lately. so when i check my twitter and all the peeps are hittin me up (aka none) i sometimes get distracted. but the weird thing about twitter is sometimes random people "follow" you. i don't know why. and you have no say in the matter! if some rando tried to be my facebook friend, i'd block them so quick. anyways, some twitter person followed me so i check out their "page" is what i think it's called. you can see it here. and then there is a link to their website so i click on that which takes me here.
my thought process goes something like this, "oh whatever cool they want people to give back... good idea i gue.. wait what?!? it says (and i quote), 'you deserve to be rich - financially, emotionally, spiritually, and in all areas of life'. um excuse me? wanna back that up a bit?"
i just don't know where in the Bible someone would get that. it is like they never read Job or Psalm 88. there is nothing positive or rich about those passages. don't get me wrong, God has blessed me beyond what i deserved and frankly beyond what i asked for. i want hardships. i know for a fact i have a hard time accepting love and help. and it is almost like i don't need to because my life is so easy, too easy. at the very least, i know that i do not 'deserve to be rich - financially, emotionally, spiritually and in all areas of life'
1O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.2Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!3For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.4I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,5like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.6You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.7Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah8You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you.10Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah11Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?12Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?13But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.14O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?15Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.16Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.17They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.18You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.
my thought process goes something like this, "oh whatever cool they want people to give back... good idea i gue.. wait what?!? it says (and i quote), 'you deserve to be rich - financially, emotionally, spiritually, and in all areas of life'. um excuse me? wanna back that up a bit?"
i just don't know where in the Bible someone would get that. it is like they never read Job or Psalm 88. there is nothing positive or rich about those passages. don't get me wrong, God has blessed me beyond what i deserved and frankly beyond what i asked for. i want hardships. i know for a fact i have a hard time accepting love and help. and it is almost like i don't need to because my life is so easy, too easy. at the very least, i know that i do not 'deserve to be rich - financially, emotionally, spiritually and in all areas of life'
1O LORD, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you.2Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!3For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.4I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength,5like one set loose among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.6You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.7Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah8You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;9my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you.10Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah11Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon?12Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?13But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you.14O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?15Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.16Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me.17They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together.18You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.
| ~Psalm 88 |
Monday, November 5, 2012
break from studying.
for lack of time for a full post, here is something to hold your interest when a study break is necessary. but do not fear, a post will come soon.
worst music video of all time?
and after that
cutest eating contest of all time?
worst music video of all time?
and after that
cutest eating contest of all time?
Monday, October 1, 2012
whoa...finally posted...
Well another summer come and gone and classes have begun. first week completed and 29 weeks of classes remain (not including finals week).
ups and downs for sure. praises for getting a killer job at nordy's and succeeding in it. downs with....well you guys know (relationship problems) haha.
Another up was that I was blessed to be able travel the world, or a little section of it this summer...yes im talkin about Italy. Amazing.
It was super interesting to see ruins that dated all the way back to the time of Jesus. it felt like being there in a way. the architecture was amazing, its hard to believe it only took 8 years for the Colosseum to be built without modern tools or cranes. it was built 80 years after Jesus died, and as you walk in you can hear the sounds of the crowds just like the games are still going on...i wanted to jump into the middle of the arena and act out a scene from gladiator...Russell Crowe style!!
I enjoyed walking around on the cobblestone streets of rome seeing a different culture and lifestyle take place. best part about the culture was the siesta which was observed everyday from 1-around 4 pm. not to mention the food was pretty bomb to (not in rome, everywhere else).
We did some hiking along a row of these coastal towns called the Chinque-terre and was able to see the Mediterranean, so blue and beautiful. Interesting history of these towns, they were all isolated and weren't able for the children to meet potential partners so they build these trails/roads from town to town so that the kids could meet up on the paths and fall in love...or something like that. All along the trails there are pad locks placed by tourists that 'fell in love' on these paths. I had no such luck in meeting an Italian dream boat but i did break a pretty good sweat from the heat.
So much more to tell about this trip but ill save it for our next skype session, otherwise this post would be super long and boring (it already is boring).
Finally I've been reading a book called: Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman for our house bible study and ive got to say...as a non reader...this book is pretty stinkin good. only a chapter or two into it but its a call out for sure. the whole premise of the book is asking are you a FOLLOWER of Jesus or are you a FAN of Jesus. My favorite part or sentences from the book so far is this: "The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close it requires anything from them." That really makes me think. This is going to be a good call out for myself and hopefully more guys in the house. Please be praying for us! Can't wait to learn more by reading this book and hopefully I am called to reform in areas of my life so that I can be a true FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ.
ups and downs for sure. praises for getting a killer job at nordy's and succeeding in it. downs with....well you guys know (relationship problems) haha.
Another up was that I was blessed to be able travel the world, or a little section of it this summer...yes im talkin about Italy. Amazing.
I enjoyed walking around on the cobblestone streets of rome seeing a different culture and lifestyle take place. best part about the culture was the siesta which was observed everyday from 1-around 4 pm. not to mention the food was pretty bomb to (not in rome, everywhere else).
We did some hiking along a row of these coastal towns called the Chinque-terre and was able to see the Mediterranean, so blue and beautiful. Interesting history of these towns, they were all isolated and weren't able for the children to meet potential partners so they build these trails/roads from town to town so that the kids could meet up on the paths and fall in love...or something like that. All along the trails there are pad locks placed by tourists that 'fell in love' on these paths. I had no such luck in meeting an Italian dream boat but i did break a pretty good sweat from the heat.
So much more to tell about this trip but ill save it for our next skype session, otherwise this post would be super long and boring (it already is boring).
Finally I've been reading a book called: Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman for our house bible study and ive got to say...as a non reader...this book is pretty stinkin good. only a chapter or two into it but its a call out for sure. the whole premise of the book is asking are you a FOLLOWER of Jesus or are you a FAN of Jesus. My favorite part or sentences from the book so far is this: "The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close it requires anything from them." That really makes me think. This is going to be a good call out for myself and hopefully more guys in the house. Please be praying for us! Can't wait to learn more by reading this book and hopefully I am called to reform in areas of my life so that I can be a true FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ.
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