Lisening to Feist, eating pretzels, drinking EmergenC, and knocking back the cold medicine and echinacea.. My life at this moment.
I have been a little remiss in my blogging promises. Not on purpose, I promise you. You know, college has been an even bigger excursion than I thought it would. The late nights, the planning ahead, working around a work schedule, eating around a designed meal plan, allowing oneself to budget in an occassional Starbucks, all the while trying to convince your body that it really isn't sick at all and it can push through until the end of the week without any real rest, are all things I hadn't bargained for. They have, though, inevitably happened, and are, at this very moment, happening.
My life is a sequence of 8:00am alarms, busy days, and random Facebook chats.
It's good :)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
great quote speech..
“Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn't buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure? Remember, you must use it, as it is given only once. Once wasted you cannot get it back”.
The average person has only approximately 786,240 hours on this planet earth. That’s not a lot of time. I mean, think, we have already used up 157,248 of those hours by the time we reach the age of 18. For me, this realization has something I have really taken to heart these last couple weeks, this realization that I need to live with purpose, with excitement, with awe.
I know I can kind of get into a rut with life. I will wake up, eat breakfast, go to class, go work, do some homework, and go to bed, starting and ending each day the same way as the last. Living sometimes becomes a habitual thing, rather than a chance to find ways to break out of the mold in order to glorify God. Not that following patterns and habits is a bad thing, but when it comes to life, and my daily routine I want it to be more than that.
My old job, working at the Jamba Juice in Marysville, definitely had its low points. My first couple months working there, I absolutely loved it. I loved going to work. Then management changed, and slowly but surely work started becoming something I dreaded going to, rather than something I loved and enjoyed doing. Now, I don’t want to say Jamba is my dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but looking back, I wish I had made my last couple months there more meaningful, and not just gone with the flow and stayed within my “bubble”. I wish I had broken out of the mold and pursued a higher path, something glorifying to God, rather than being dragged down by the gossip, the complaining, and the overall atmosphere of the store. I wish I had popped that bubble.
Same with school. My last two years of highschool were spent in the Running Start program at a local community college. I look back on those two years with a little regret. Not that I was a bad student, or even got in with the wrong crowd. It was the fact that I didn’t engage. I went to class, listened to lectures, and took notes without interacting with my classmates and the people around me. I didn’t take the opportunity to really “witness” and to be that Christly example for the unsaved and broken around me. I let that chance pass me by. I didn’t seize the opportunity to “take life by the horns” as the car company, Dodge, puts it. I didn’t live like there were only 24 hours in the day, only 365 days in the year, and only 100 years, give or take, to make a difference in the world.
For me, this quote serves as a reminder, as motivation to live the normal, day to day activities, like I have never done them before. That I would excited to get up, be thankful for the breath in my lungs, and go to work, to class, even to the caf with a different “spring” in my step. That I would constantly be finding ways to break out of the normal lifestyle in order to find more ways to glorify God with the days He has given me. I want to live excitedly.
The average person has only approximately 786,240 hours on this planet earth. That’s not a lot of time. I mean, think, we have already used up 157,248 of those hours by the time we reach the age of 18. For me, this realization has something I have really taken to heart these last couple weeks, this realization that I need to live with purpose, with excitement, with awe.
I know I can kind of get into a rut with life. I will wake up, eat breakfast, go to class, go work, do some homework, and go to bed, starting and ending each day the same way as the last. Living sometimes becomes a habitual thing, rather than a chance to find ways to break out of the mold in order to glorify God. Not that following patterns and habits is a bad thing, but when it comes to life, and my daily routine I want it to be more than that.
My old job, working at the Jamba Juice in Marysville, definitely had its low points. My first couple months working there, I absolutely loved it. I loved going to work. Then management changed, and slowly but surely work started becoming something I dreaded going to, rather than something I loved and enjoyed doing. Now, I don’t want to say Jamba is my dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but looking back, I wish I had made my last couple months there more meaningful, and not just gone with the flow and stayed within my “bubble”. I wish I had broken out of the mold and pursued a higher path, something glorifying to God, rather than being dragged down by the gossip, the complaining, and the overall atmosphere of the store. I wish I had popped that bubble.
Same with school. My last two years of highschool were spent in the Running Start program at a local community college. I look back on those two years with a little regret. Not that I was a bad student, or even got in with the wrong crowd. It was the fact that I didn’t engage. I went to class, listened to lectures, and took notes without interacting with my classmates and the people around me. I didn’t take the opportunity to really “witness” and to be that Christly example for the unsaved and broken around me. I let that chance pass me by. I didn’t seize the opportunity to “take life by the horns” as the car company, Dodge, puts it. I didn’t live like there were only 24 hours in the day, only 365 days in the year, and only 100 years, give or take, to make a difference in the world.
For me, this quote serves as a reminder, as motivation to live the normal, day to day activities, like I have never done them before. That I would excited to get up, be thankful for the breath in my lungs, and go to work, to class, even to the caf with a different “spring” in my step. That I would constantly be finding ways to break out of the normal lifestyle in order to find more ways to glorify God with the days He has given me. I want to live excitedly.
Monday, September 14, 2009
the "Lighter" life...
This week I had to write a devotional for my speech class.. The devotional comes from a verse I recently read in Isaiah. For me, the verse was really eye opening and well, challenging. Here is the devotional; I hope that the verse gives you same eye opening experience it gave me.
Speech Class Devotional
Isaiah 55:5
“Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you”.
One of the goals in life I have always had as a Christian was to be a Light for the people around me; that they would see God in me, not because of the words I said, but because of the actions I did. Because of the way I spoke, the way I thought, and way I lived. As Christians I this verse really hits home, and for me personally it really is like a challenge to live the “Lighter” life. It’s says that “nations, people, who do not know you will run to you, because the Lord..has glorified you”. People will run to us because we possess that light that shines out in the darkness. We possess that “thing” that they all want; Jesus Christ. This verse I think is one that we can kind of see as a challenge, to not only talk the Christian talk, but live the Christian walk. Jesus had people flocking to Him not by just the words He said, but HOW He said them. He was kind, just, gracious, all things we Christians need to imitate.
So take this verse as a challenge to live that “Lighter” life, to be that Light in the darkness.
Speech Class Devotional
Isaiah 55:5
“Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you”.
One of the goals in life I have always had as a Christian was to be a Light for the people around me; that they would see God in me, not because of the words I said, but because of the actions I did. Because of the way I spoke, the way I thought, and way I lived. As Christians I this verse really hits home, and for me personally it really is like a challenge to live the “Lighter” life. It’s says that “nations, people, who do not know you will run to you, because the Lord..has glorified you”. People will run to us because we possess that light that shines out in the darkness. We possess that “thing” that they all want; Jesus Christ. This verse I think is one that we can kind of see as a challenge, to not only talk the Christian talk, but live the Christian walk. Jesus had people flocking to Him not by just the words He said, but HOW He said them. He was kind, just, gracious, all things we Christians need to imitate.
So take this verse as a challenge to live that “Lighter” life, to be that Light in the darkness.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
One week down.. uh. Fourteen to go?
I survived my first week at NU. An amazing and very satisfying feeling. I am officially an university student. Goodness. Crazy. Awesome.
Classes are good. I absolutely love my Christian Thought and Old Testament Lit. and History classs (the class not so much the homework..). I love learning about the Bible and how to be a better Christian. I love, love, love chapel and getting together with fellow believers (a.k.a. my classmates!) and worshiping God three days a week. I love my floor and the girls on it :) I've met some amazingly crazy girls and I can't wait to meet more!
Honestly, the first couple days of being at NU were frankly frightening. Sitting in my dorm room alone, not really sure what to do (I didn't have the homework I do now, which preoccupies most of my afternoon...) it was very imtimidating. I finally realized I had to come to this place where I was just there, sitting in my room, listening to music, wishing I had someone to talk to face to face when it dawned on me: I have God. He is my friend. It was an incredible realization. That no matter if I have friends or not, He is always by my side. He is always there to talk to me and "chill" with me. This feeling filled me with hope, and soon after I was hanging out with a couple girls on my floor in the caf (caferteria..) talking and laughing, having a great time. God does listen to our prayers, but it's only when we realize He is everything that He will answer them. At least that's this writer's humble opinion. That it's only when we are SMALL that He can make us BIG. When we realize He's all we have, that we will have SOMETHING.
Crazy, eh?
Classes are good. I absolutely love my Christian Thought and Old Testament Lit. and History classs (the class not so much the homework..). I love learning about the Bible and how to be a better Christian. I love, love, love chapel and getting together with fellow believers (a.k.a. my classmates!) and worshiping God three days a week. I love my floor and the girls on it :) I've met some amazingly crazy girls and I can't wait to meet more!
Honestly, the first couple days of being at NU were frankly frightening. Sitting in my dorm room alone, not really sure what to do (I didn't have the homework I do now, which preoccupies most of my afternoon...) it was very imtimidating. I finally realized I had to come to this place where I was just there, sitting in my room, listening to music, wishing I had someone to talk to face to face when it dawned on me: I have God. He is my friend. It was an incredible realization. That no matter if I have friends or not, He is always by my side. He is always there to talk to me and "chill" with me. This feeling filled me with hope, and soon after I was hanging out with a couple girls on my floor in the caf (caferteria..) talking and laughing, having a great time. God does listen to our prayers, but it's only when we realize He is everything that He will answer them. At least that's this writer's humble opinion. That it's only when we are SMALL that He can make us BIG. When we realize He's all we have, that we will have SOMETHING.
Crazy, eh?
Friday, August 28, 2009
My New Life.
Hello all. I am sorry for not posting for a couple weeks (assuming people are actually reading this, which I hope you are!). My life has gotten very busy and over the last three days, VERY DIFFERENT.
I have moved in the dorm at NU. Room 5218 in Guy Hall. I have unpacked all my things. Dined in the cafeteria, and gone through some fun but tiring orientation sessions, and the week still isn't over.
I love it here. The atmosphere and the faculty and staff are amazing. I know that I will able to grow in God SO much here, and I can't wait to delve into this new season of my Chrisitan walk. I know spiritually this is the best place I can be for me, at this moment.
I have been coping with the changes, I think, pretty well. I did have a slight melt down last night. And without giving too much of the "dramatic" details, I think it will just take some time to be able to find my place. I know I am supposed to be here spiritually, but socially I know it's going to take some time.
The girls on my floor are great! So many new faces and names, I love meeting people are hearing their life stories.
I think that's the great thing about having a roommate you don't know. You get to meet and find ou that a person who you might-have-never-even-met's dislikes, likes, passions, and their purpose. It's an awesome experience (although I knew my roommate beforehand...).
One thing I know this whole experience is going to teach me is to fully rely on God and what He has in store for me. That even in the times when I feel a meltdown coming on or feel lonely or rejected or without friends, that I can always count on Him to be around. I always have Him when I need a hand to pick me back up. It's a comforin feeling and I hold onto that with everything I have.
Readers, this is a new start for me. A start I know will end up being a great turning point in my life, even if in the meantime I feel unsure or insecure. God's plans for me are WAY greater than the circumstances of this world. I can get through this.
I have moved in the dorm at NU. Room 5218 in Guy Hall. I have unpacked all my things. Dined in the cafeteria, and gone through some fun but tiring orientation sessions, and the week still isn't over.
I love it here. The atmosphere and the faculty and staff are amazing. I know that I will able to grow in God SO much here, and I can't wait to delve into this new season of my Chrisitan walk. I know spiritually this is the best place I can be for me, at this moment.
I have been coping with the changes, I think, pretty well. I did have a slight melt down last night. And without giving too much of the "dramatic" details, I think it will just take some time to be able to find my place. I know I am supposed to be here spiritually, but socially I know it's going to take some time.
The girls on my floor are great! So many new faces and names, I love meeting people are hearing their life stories.
I think that's the great thing about having a roommate you don't know. You get to meet and find ou that a person who you might-have-never-even-met's dislikes, likes, passions, and their purpose. It's an awesome experience (although I knew my roommate beforehand...).
One thing I know this whole experience is going to teach me is to fully rely on God and what He has in store for me. That even in the times when I feel a meltdown coming on or feel lonely or rejected or without friends, that I can always count on Him to be around. I always have Him when I need a hand to pick me back up. It's a comforin feeling and I hold onto that with everything I have.
Readers, this is a new start for me. A start I know will end up being a great turning point in my life, even if in the meantime I feel unsure or insecure. God's plans for me are WAY greater than the circumstances of this world. I can get through this.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
a rejected soul named contenment
Sufficiancy means... what?
Contentment.
Utter and complete contentment.
A place that feels right.
A place that feels safe.
Not a physical place, oh no.
It dwells inside our being,
Beneath the clothes and skin and nerves
And pain.
It screams and cries out to be noticed.
It yells and kicks and pulls it's hair out in anguish,
Waiting to be noticed.
It wants to be recognized.
It knows it will bring happiness and rest.
It know it will bring joy and resolution.
It paces back and forth, waiting and hoping.
It waits for you.
It waits for me.
Contentment.
Utter and complete contentment.
A place that feels right.
A place that feels safe.
Not a physical place, oh no.
It dwells inside our being,
Beneath the clothes and skin and nerves
And pain.
It screams and cries out to be noticed.
It yells and kicks and pulls it's hair out in anguish,
Waiting to be noticed.
It wants to be recognized.
It knows it will bring happiness and rest.
It know it will bring joy and resolution.
It paces back and forth, waiting and hoping.
It waits for you.
It waits for me.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Jesus is my homeboy..
I don't place the title "friend", especially "best friend" easily on anyone.
When you're little you pretty call anyone who gets along with you, your best friend. That girl who shared her ice cream, or the guy who played tag with you...
I cannot place that title as easily as others.
Blame it on past not-so-good-relationships, or maybe my just inability to trust, I just tell it like it is.
The term "friend" to me, means almost the same thing as the term "best friend". I expect all my friends to be there for me, to listen, give advice, and just accept me for who I am. I realize people will let me down, because well, this is life and it happens, but I expect that friend to stick it out, even in the hard times, because our friendship is worth it.
Past relationships have taught me that friends will mess up. It was like up to that point I was living in a bubble, unaware that my bubble, my self confidence, could be popped. It's a hard reality, but I had to face it.
I had to face the fact that people will let me down. And that got me thinking..
If people are constantly letting me down, who can I turn to. Who will never let me down?
One person, and one person only, came to mind:
Jesus.
Of course, it was obvious. But in reality, it took me a long time to figure that one out. Jesus, my friend? I thought He was just that guy I went to church for. He is the one the stories in the bible are about. Could He really be my best friend?
Slowly, I came around to this idea. After being hurt so many times, I wasn't ready to put my heart on the line just yet.
There is a happy ending to this story though. I have finally realized that YES, Jesus can be trusted. He isn't just that guy that I sing songs about in church. He is someone I can count on 24/7, 365. He will never judge me or let me go. He is always there.
So, maybe I don't have too many best friends, or even friends in general. That doesn't seem to matter as much when I have Him by my side. He is the one friend who will always listen. The one friend who will always give me good advice. Loyal? Heck yes. Trustworthy? You bet. Dependable? Oh yeah.
Jesus Christ: my BFF for life.
When you're little you pretty call anyone who gets along with you, your best friend. That girl who shared her ice cream, or the guy who played tag with you...
I cannot place that title as easily as others.
Blame it on past not-so-good-relationships, or maybe my just inability to trust, I just tell it like it is.
The term "friend" to me, means almost the same thing as the term "best friend". I expect all my friends to be there for me, to listen, give advice, and just accept me for who I am. I realize people will let me down, because well, this is life and it happens, but I expect that friend to stick it out, even in the hard times, because our friendship is worth it.
Past relationships have taught me that friends will mess up. It was like up to that point I was living in a bubble, unaware that my bubble, my self confidence, could be popped. It's a hard reality, but I had to face it.
I had to face the fact that people will let me down. And that got me thinking..
If people are constantly letting me down, who can I turn to. Who will never let me down?
One person, and one person only, came to mind:
Jesus.
Of course, it was obvious. But in reality, it took me a long time to figure that one out. Jesus, my friend? I thought He was just that guy I went to church for. He is the one the stories in the bible are about. Could He really be my best friend?
Slowly, I came around to this idea. After being hurt so many times, I wasn't ready to put my heart on the line just yet.
There is a happy ending to this story though. I have finally realized that YES, Jesus can be trusted. He isn't just that guy that I sing songs about in church. He is someone I can count on 24/7, 365. He will never judge me or let me go. He is always there.
So, maybe I don't have too many best friends, or even friends in general. That doesn't seem to matter as much when I have Him by my side. He is the one friend who will always listen. The one friend who will always give me good advice. Loyal? Heck yes. Trustworthy? You bet. Dependable? Oh yeah.
Jesus Christ: my BFF for life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)