10 Random Thoughts…

I know, I know…it’s been close to a billion [maybe not quite that much] years since I last updated this thing. I’m sorry. I really am. But really, I don’t think any one ever reads it!  So it probably does not matter that much anyways, but in case I’m wrong and there is maybe 1 person who does read it, then this update is just for you….

I really have nothing useful, enlightening,  or important to say at the moment so here are 10 random thoughts:

1. Lost is crazy awesome, and definitely my favorite show right now. (LOVED the premiere!)

2. I’m taking algebra for a SECOND time, and hoping I pass this time, because I HATE math!

3. I’m only 5% of the way on paying my truck off! This is going to take FOREVER!

4. I never update this because I think no one ever reads it. [Sorry if you are that one person who does read it.]

5. Hydrate is simply amazing.

6. “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

7. The Notebook is probably the worst movie I have ever seen. Ever.

8. Dollar menus are awesome!

9. It’s extremely hard for me to get up early. I just can’t do it.

10. This is it. Done.

My New Favorite Song.

I really like this song.

 

I guess I’l have to wait and see.

Picking A Major…

Okay, so my 1st year of college is done, and I still have not declared a major. The reason being I have no earthly idea what I want my major to be. However, I think I’m starting to get close, but then I change my mind again, and the whole process starts all over again. I’m very good at changing my mind, if you did not know that already.

Even before college started, in my senior year of high school actually, I knew without a doubt what my major would be. (So I thought.) The major-Psychology. Perfect. Then, I registered for my classes, and took a basic psychology class. By the end of my fall semester, I knew psychology was not what I wanted my major to be. I did like the psychology class I had taken, but not enough to major in it. Maybe more of a minor.

Well, then when the spring second semester started, and I still did not have a major I began to start wondering. What is it that God has called me to do with my life? I did not know and did not have a clue! (This may have been my problem from the beginning. Never praying about it.) I started praying. No clear, definite, call/answer.  I prayed some more. Still none. Kept praying. By this time, I was wondering if God even wanted me to do anything for Him? I knew there must be something, but did not know what it might be. 

I then came across a book “Congratulations, You’re Gifted” by Doug Fields. As soon as I saw the book, I had to buy it simply because my name was mentioned in the SYM podcast episode 77, along with the book title, but that’s a whole other story. Anyways, I bought the book. As I began reading this book, it was talking about discovering your SHAPE. As I began reading chapter 3 I started wondering what my passions were. This chapter in the book focused specifically on you passions, and how to figure out what your passions were. As I begin to think about my passions, it became very clear what my passion(s) were. Youth Ministry or more specifically youth workers. I have read/own a few youth ministry based books by Doug Fields, and I’m subscribed to some youth ministry magazines which seems a little odd since I have never been involved in youth ministry. But as I have read through these books and magazines, my heart has been filled with compassion not only for the youth, but also for the youth workers. I have always admired youth pastors and youth workers. 

I feel the youth are being taken care of. From what I have read and seen, there are plenty of compassionate, Christ filled youth workers who are reaching out to the students in their ministry who are doing a fantastic job. I have read more stories of the youth workers who say they are struggling to stay in ministry, and often wonder why they are doing that they are doing and if it’s even worth it. I know youth ministry is not easy at all, and I know the youth workers involved in youth ministry may at times not receive the thanks they deserve.

This is where my desire to serve youth workers comes in, and also why I feel I should major in business management. I want to reach out to youth workers, to let them know they are loved, cared for, and that they are making a difference in the lives of students.  I want to do this by providing youth workers a place to come, relax, unwind, think, pray, and refuel. A place where they can take a break from the youth ministry world for a while. 

I have a big “vision”, I guess it could be called, about this that I’m not sure will ever happen or not. Part of that “vision” includes building a retreat type place where not only youth workers, but all people involved in ministry can come to unwind, relax, and “recharge”.

I have prayed and thought about this for a while. Wondering if business management is the major I would need in order to take the next step with this if that was even possible. After praying, and thinking, my mind has not changed. I continue to pray about this, and ask God to show me if this is what he has called me to do.

I have many thoughts/ideas about how this would work, that I almost get excited thinking about it all. But then I wonder if it can really happen? Or if all my thoughts/ideas are unrealistic expectations that could never happen. I don’t know for sure, but I do know for now I’m praying and trusting God will show me where to go with all this.

To any youth worker who might be reading this, you are loved and appreciated! Thank you!

I’m not a poem writer…but I had to write a poem for my class.

I’m not a poem writer at all! In fact, I don’t even know anything about poetry. But, for my english final, I had to write a poem. So, I wrote one. I don’t know if it is good, bad, terrible, the worst thing ever, or far from even being a poem. All I know is that poem’s rhyme (at least I think they do.) so my poem rhymes but that’s about it. Help me out by reading it and telling me if it sounds like a poem, if it’s good, bad, or so terrible that even Robert Frost would be ashamed! Thanks! It’s due on Wednesday by the way. Yes, I’m a procrastinator.

One Stormy Night

            One stormy night, the wind blew down my window screen.

The wind whistled, and blew through the trees, howling like an angry wolf. I try to fall asleep, for I know the morning will arrive bright and early. My little eyes are getting weary, but I cannot, no, I cannot fall asleep. I wonder why I cannot sleep, for I know that I am sleepy. I soon will know why my eyes will not close. 

            The rain is falling hard and strong. Pitter-patter, pitter, patter up on my thin tin roof. The raindrops sound like little tin pellets, hitting the thin tin roof, pitter-patter, pitter, patter. Looking out my window, I see the rain overflowing the pond below, soaking the ground with its moisture. Tomorrow, I will not go out. For the world will be flooded with the soaking rain pounding on my thin tin roof.

            My little dog, he is scared of the storm. Each roll of thunder scares him even more. He paces by my windowsill, and then he jumps up on my bed hoping to escape his fear of the storm. I try to comfort him, and pet his little head; this has soothed him for now. He has drifted off to sleep again.

            I now know why my little eyes will not sleep. Looking out my window, I see my fear. Lightning bolts shaped like a “z” I now see clear out in the sky. The world lights up momentarily a shade of purple like I have never seen before. One split second is all it takes, and I can see the pond that is overflowing. My little dog is scared again. I comfort him once more.

            My eyes are getting very weary. Sleep must come somehow, in some sort of fashion. The storm, which keeps me up, will soon be passing. With my little dog close by my side, I once again close my little eyes. This time they do not open once again to watch the lighting strike the ground, or to see the rain fill up the pond.

        When morning comes, the storm has passed. My little dog has left me now, his fear too passing. The storm has moved to somewhere else leaving on floodwaters and debris behind. Awaking, I look out my window; the pond has flooded the pasture. The drive way also has been washed away. No going out today, I think. What a happy thought this is for me. My eyes close once again, but this time no storm will prevent sweet slumber from visiting my sleepy eyes

 

What do you think? Does it even sound like a poem? Thanks!

Rushing the presence of God

Something I’m starting to learn, and should have already learned is that you can not rush the presence of God. You have to be patient, be still, and wait for that small still voice. This morning, before reading some scripture, I prayed “Lord, please remove all distractions. Please help me to focus on You. Lord, please speak to me through your word today.” As I opened my Bible, I came across these verses from Haggai 1.-5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” After reading these verses, I sat there for a minute and thought about what I have “planted much of, but harvested little.” As I was thinking, I began to pray. “Lord, what is it that I need to harvest more of? What is it You have called me to do?” I have been praying for a while now about what I should major in, what area of work I would be good at, what God is wanting me to do with my life, ect. As I was praying and thinking about this, I was wondering if maybe God was using these verses to show me what it was He had called me to do?

The second part of this verse also stuck out to me. “You eat, but never have enough. Drink, but never have your fill.” How many times have I always wanted more instead of being satisfied with what I have? 

 After praying, and thinking for a while, and not really knowing a sure answer, or really what this verse meant for me, I started to close my Bible and move on with the day. As I started to close my Bible, I felt a little tug at my heart. Kind of as if to say “Don’t close your Bible, and move on with your day yet. There is something here you’re missing.” I opened my Bible back up and read, and reread the verses over and over again.

Then, I remembered I wanted to get on the internet before I left for class. I think this was when the distraction came in and took over. After I had just prayed “Lord, please remove all distractions.”  Instead of waiting and being still, allowing God time to speak, I shut my Bible once again and thought “I’ll have to come back and read this verse again later. I don’t have time right now.” But as I got on the internet and went about my day, I could not stop getting those verses out of my head. 

Later on, while I was sitting in class I had a thought of “Maybe God was not done speaking to you this morning. Maybe you let the internet over take your time with God. Maybe god was waiting to see if you would be still and allow him to speak to you.” The more I thought about it, the more I could picture God saying “You were so close.”

Now, as I sit here, writing this, I feel a sense of sadness. I feel like I rushed God, instead of being still and allowing him to speak to me.

This may be all my perception only, and God may not have been going to speak to me in the first place. All I know is that this morning, I felt like God was not done yet when I decided getting on the internet was more important than spending time with the creator of the universe. I have felt sad, and said a prayer of sorry more than once. I just hope God will try again, and this time I will listen.

As I was reading my newsletter from Youth Specialties, I found this quote: “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day.” -John Bunyan This hurt.

I learned several things through what happened this morning. First, I learned you can’t rush God’s presence. You have to be still, and wait. God will speak on his terms, not ours. Second, I learned that nothing is more important than spending time with God. As I look back now, I wish I would not have even thought about getting on the internet.

Black Greed

Today, or Yesterday I should say, was one of the craziest shopping days of the year. After seeing people lined up at 3 PM waiting for the opening of a store at 5 AM, I knew it was going to be pretty crazy, and I was right. After reading this story, I’m not only amazed at the greediness of our country, but I’m also shocked at how caught up in materialistic things our country is. Not to mention, the lack of concern for a persons life. I guess I never thought our country was THAT greedy, or materialistic.  

Who ever thought a simple shopping trip to Wal-Mart would end someone up in the hospital, or even worse, dead? What really annoys/amazes/shocks/irritates me is how the customers responded to the poor Wal-Mart worker lying in the floor. “Shoppers stepped over the man on the ground and streamed into the store.” Are you kidding me? If all the shoppers were lying in the floor would they want people to step over them and not even care they were hurt? Apparently the golden rule has been lost in our society. Even the Wal-Mart workers trying to help the man were being shoved out of the way. 

On top of all this after the customers were told the man was hurt, even dying, what do they only care about? The deals, the bargains. Instead of responding with care, and concern they instead shout and refuse to leave just because they had been in line since who knows when. WHO CARES? Why does it really matter how long you’ve stood in line? Is not a persons life more valuable than a 9$ DVD? 

After reading this story, and hearing about the madness of today, I’ve come to realize two things about our country. The first being greed will drive a person crazy, and our country is very greedy. Why else would someone camp out in front of their favorite store all night? Why else would people go insane when the doors are open? All for worldly possessions that won’t last even a year, because this time next year people will be doing the same thing maybe even for bigger, better, versions of the same things bought this year. 

The next being our country is way to focused on materialistic things. Worldly things. Worldly possessions. Our country needs to realize these things are not going to grant them eternal life. I love the verse in the Bible that says “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 . Earthly things are temporary. Things above are eternal. People are so obsessed with earthly things, they are forgetting what really matters. 

I’m not saying everyone who goes shopping on this crazy shopping day are greed obsessed, and will trample somebody to get what they want. I’m just saying some people put WAY too much value on good bargains and perhaps loose perspective of what is really important. There is a right way and a wrong way to shop for good bargains. Obviously, trampling someone to get in the door is the wrong way. 

With all this in mind, I’m still amazed and shocked. I have decided “Black Friday” should be changed to “Black Greed”.

10 Things I’ve learned my first semester in college…

As Thanksgiving approaches very quickly, I’m more than happy to say I will be thrilled to end this semester. My first semester of college has been filled with ups and downs, from bad first days to adjusting to college life in general. Whew. All I can say is I’m glad it’s going to end shortly after Thanksgiving break. 

Looking back over this first semester in college, I’ve come to realize there are many things I did not know about the whole “college experience.” Many first time encounters that made me step back and say “Wow, this is defenitley not high school any more.” or “Wow, you are allowed to do that in college?” With this in mind, I’ve come up with 10 things I’ve learned, didn’t know, or that just took me by suprise.  Either way, here are ten things I have learned my first smeseter in college:

1. It’s all up to YOU-This isn’t high school anymore. There are no “reward days” or “perfect attendance records.” It’s all up to you if you show up for class or not. The teachers could care less if you’re there or not. You’re the one who has to get up and come to class every day (or most of the time). You’ve gotta be motivated or it will be very easy to just simply not go. This can be very tempting when it’s raining, really cold outside, or you simply “don’t feel like going” or when your favorite TV show or movie is coming on. 

2. There is no makeup work.- In high school, there was this nice little thing called makeup work. If you missed a day, or say a week, because of being sick, you were granted that many days to make up the work. Well, that has changed now. If you miss a week because your sick, or simply don’t come to class, there is no makeup work. Most of my teachers this semester said they either wouldn’t take make up work at all, or if they did, you’d only be guaranteed a 50% at the most. It’s a harsh reality. I mean you cant help it if your sick, can you?

3. Be on time- Who ever thought a teacher would lock the door 15 minutes after class started and not let you in no matter how much you knocked? (A very mean thing to do, if you ask me.)  I have a teacher who has done this during the semester. Be on time. This is a hard for me, since I love to be running late most of the time.

4. Don’t raise your hand. Just get up and leave.- In high school, you always had to raise your hand if you needed to use the the bathroom, wanted to get a drink, or whatever. Not here. Hey, if you don’t like the class or it gets to boring for ya, just get up and leave. The teacher does not care. Someone in one of my classes raised their hand, teacher called on them, and they asked the simple question “Can I go to the bathroom?” The teacher looked at them, laughed, and said “Yeah, you can go. You don’t have to raise your hand. Just get up and go. I don’t care if you leave.” People are always going in and out during class. It’s something I still have not gotten used to. I mean why would someone show up in the first place just to leave 5 minutes after class started? What are they thinking? Why are they even in the class if they are just going to leave all the time?

5. Bring on the cell phones!- This is one thing I actually do like about college. Cell phones are not banned for all eternity. Its actually okay to TEXT DURING CLASS. YES! If you get a call during class, it’s okay to get up and leave to take the call. Some teachers do not necessarily like cell phone use during class, but it’s not like you are going to get sent to “detention” for using your phone during class. I actually text all the time during class. I’m a bad kid, I know.

6. Food/Drink- You know how in high school, it was forbidden to have any type of food or drink in the class room (in most cases, unless someone has a crazy problem and has to drink water every five minutes)? Well, here it’s okay to have food/drink in class. I see people all the time come into class with their route 44’s. I, personally, like this change. I like to eat, alot. It’s good to know you can eat, and have your own little “party” right in the middle of class.

7. Semesters are shorter. Way shorter.- A normal semester in high school would last from August-Januaruay or after Christmas break usually. Semesters here last from August-shortly after Thanksgiving break, then you’re done. Which means a whole new schedule. If you don’t like the classes your in, just hang in there. They are not going to last all year long.

8. Money is of the essence- Money, Money, Money. College means money. As if the tution was not enough, they make even more money off of you with books. Whoever knew one book for one subect would cost $200? Are you kidding me? It’s prety crazy/insane if you ask me. I think $30-50 would be enough. What about when you get new classes next semester and need new books? More $.  Oh and whoever thought YOU would have to buy your OWN scantron for tests?? The first time I was told “Make sure YOU have your scantron for the test tomorrow,” I thought I had heard wrong. What? I thought the teachers were supposed to provide the scantrons? Oh wait, this is college, not high school. I didn’t even know someone other than a teacher could buy those things. I thought they came in bulk for teachers only.

9. There are no internet blocks.- Remeber in high school when you tried to get on the internet and everything was blocked? Well, that doesen’t happen here. No sites are blocked, or if there are some that are I have not found them yet. Even Facebook. Which is  good, because I never thought Facebook should have been blocked in the first place, in my opinion.

10. Finals are at weird and crazy times.- As I’m finding out, finals do not happen the same day of your class, or even at the same time. My final for my Monday, Wednseday class at 10:00 AM is on a Friday at 8:00 AM. WHAT? That way early when you are used to the class starting at 10 and not even waking up until say 8. I would rather just have the final at the time of class, on the same day, but I guess this is just something else I’ll have to get used to.

It’s been a good semester, however I am still not a big fan of college, and would take high school back any day. This is something that has to be done, though. I guess the best thing to do is simply “get it over with.”

Facebook Friends

I found this article today, and thought it was pretty interesting. I don’t see anything wrong with accepting friend requests from people you don’t necessarily ”like” or want to be in touch with. After all, there is a feature of Facebook called a limited profile. If you don’t want someone to see all your stuff, simply put them on your limited profile. You’re still being nice and accepting their request, but also keeping them from looking at all your profile information. It’s a win-win situation, in my opinion.

Waiting Patiently.

There comes a time in everyones college career that one must choose what field of study they want to venture into. I have been told it is very important to choose something you love to do, since that will end up being your job for the rest of your life. (Probably) I have also been told not to rush into it. Take your time, consider all your options, and pick something that “fits” your interests, passions, ect. I, personally, love the “take your time” part. Why? Because the time has come for me to decide. Deciding on major, that is. This may sound easy, but, honestly, I don’t have any idea what I want my major to be.

Way back in the day, in 10th-12th grade, I was sure, positively, without a doubt, what I wanted my major to be. Psychology. This was fine with me, until people started asking me “What can you do with a psychology degree? Are you sure you want to do that?” Uh, yeah. I think so. I had not really given it much thought, honestly. I just thought it sounded “cool”. 

Then, I started thinking. ‘Do I really want to be a psychologist?’ Somewhere along the way, I started feeling not so sure psychology is what I wanted to major in. When I registered for classes in the fall, the question was asked “Do you want to declare a major?” Uh, I don’t know for sure.

“I don’t know” got me a undeclared major. This was fine with me. General Education classes are always good anyways. Since I was leaning toward psychology in the first place, I went ahead and took a general psychology class to try it out, and see if I liked it. I’m currently taking the class, and yes, I do like it.

As I wonder what classes I need to take this next semester, I’m still clueless about what I want to major in. I do like psychology, but I also like other things as well. I’ve been told writing would be something good for me to major in. I’ve also looked at other things such as business management, graphic design, criminal justice, and broadcasting. Looks like for another semester, I’ll be undeclared once again.

Even though I would love to know what I should major in RIGHT NOW, God is teaching me something through this. He is teaching me to WAIT. To wait patiently for Him. He’s also teaching me something else. A few months ago, I had a post titled “Staying Positive in a Negative World.” It was about how college was hard, because it was not where I wanted to be. My dream all along had been to attend FWBBC. But, that didn’t happen. 

God has reminded me of that recently. He has reminded me to wait patiently for Him. He is reminding me to trust in Him, to commit my ways to him, and He will give me the desires of my heart. I came across some verses in Psalm 37 that really hit home for me. After reading these verses, I was reminded, once again to wait patiently for the Lord. I have committed my ways to Him, which means all I can do now is trust, pray, and wait. Hopefully, I will be at FWBBC next fall. If not, that’s okay too. For now, I will pray, and wait patiently. 

3 Trust in the LORD and do good; 
       dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

 4 Delight yourself in the LORD 
       and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 5 Commit your way to the LORD; 
       trust in him and he will do this

Psalm 37:3-5

Reading between the lyrics?

Music is much more than a rhythm. Much more than a beat. Much more than notes, chords, melodies and harmonies. Music is all the about the lyrics. Rhythm’s, beats, notes, chords, melodies, and harmonies are all important, yes. But, not as important as the lyrics. The lyrics are what bring the song alive. The lyrics give the song meaning. Lyrics define a song. 

I guess this is why I think it’s so important to listen to the lyrics of a song. I’m appalled at some of the lyrics songs have these days. Why would anybody want to listen, and consume their time with that kind of stuff? One thing that really disturbs me is when I hear somebody, who I believe is strong in their faith, listening to music with lyrics that definitely do not pass the “Philippians 4:8″ test. I wonder why they would want to fill their thoughts with stuff such as that. I also wonder if they are as strong as I thought they were in their faith? It makes no sense to me why someone who professes to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ would want to listen to songs with some of the worst lyrics I have ever heard. Why they would listen to songs which do not point the way to Christ, but do just the opposite.  

I do not think people today listen, really listen to the lyrics of songs that much. Think about it. What are the lyrics saying? What is the message of the song? What is the song portraying? What is the song putting in your head? Are they good thoughts? Is the song producing encouraging, uplifting, positive thoughts? Or is the song talking about stuff no one should consume their thoughts with? 

I have to admit, I never used to really listen to the lyrics of songs. I would sing the lyrics, and memorize them, but I never really thought to stop and listen. I never took the time to understand what the song was saying. Now, however, I find myself more and more listening to the lyrics. Singing worship songs in church on Sunday morning has taken on new meaning since I have started listening to the lyrics. Instead of just singing “good songs”, these songs are taking on meaning for me. These songs are making sense. “Hitting home” if you will.

Try listening to the lyrics of your favorite songs for one week. What is the song saying? What is it portraying? Is the song saying something you would want to consume your thoughts with?

But don’t just rush through the lyrics. Take time to really listen. Take time to think about it. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8