MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thinking of you...
Tonight I was thinking about ministry, specifically camp since I will not be able to make it this year. But I also look back at my own youth group days and earlier youth ministries I helped to lead. While a lot of ministry is age-related, I don't think it stops once you graduate. I still think about you, wonder how you are, and what you are up to these days. If you wouldn't mind telling me through facebook, in the comments section for this blog, or email, that'd be awesome. If all you're going to say is you're "doing well", I'd rather not hear... I'm wanting REAL, HONEST answers that dig a little bit deeper than that. It's your choice of how much you reply, and if you ARE doing well, I want to hear a HIGHLIGHT of life.
Some questions to get you thinking:
- Are you still walking with Christ? If not, be honest.
- What has Christ revealed to you lately?
- What are you reading in your Bible?
- What was your highlight from the last time I saw you (for some it's been a really long time... if you can't narrow it down, just pick something in 2011)?
- What challenges have you faced?
- How can I pray for you?
- Life updates: job, family...
Choose any/all of the questions. They are just the ones I am asking as if you were face to face with me.
If there IS a way to get together face to face, that'd be great. Let me know if you are in the area (I live in SJ).
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Why I Started this blog
There are a few things I know about myself.
I LOVE to write. A lot. I have tons of real journals and online diaries. I have an obsession with pen and paper; August is one of my favorite months of the year simply because of all the sales on school supplies. There's just something about writing down thoughts, whether it's a simple to-do list or something you can look back on and realize "Oh, God... THAT's what you were up to in that situation."
I LOVE Christmas. That's no surprise to anyone reading, I'm sure. I love Christmas because I love Jesus and celebrating Him. I love spending quality time with family and friends. It's a time to relax, despite what our culture (or even sometimes our families) says. It's NOT a time to stress out about cleaning your house or decorating it better than the neighbors. It's about TOGETHERNESS. I choose to celebrate Christmas year-round. I remember Jesus always. He is close to my heart. He is my LIFE.
I LOVE to write. A lot. I have tons of real journals and online diaries. I have an obsession with pen and paper; August is one of my favorite months of the year simply because of all the sales on school supplies. There's just something about writing down thoughts, whether it's a simple to-do list or something you can look back on and realize "Oh, God... THAT's what you were up to in that situation."
I LOVE Christmas. That's no surprise to anyone reading, I'm sure. I love Christmas because I love Jesus and celebrating Him. I love spending quality time with family and friends. It's a time to relax, despite what our culture (or even sometimes our families) says. It's NOT a time to stress out about cleaning your house or decorating it better than the neighbors. It's about TOGETHERNESS. I choose to celebrate Christmas year-round. I remember Jesus always. He is close to my heart. He is my LIFE.
Monday, January 2, 2012
looking back on my december
December was a good month.
Saw the kids at Storyline sing... and entertain.
Got together with my friends from camp, Jeni and Sarah .
Five years together as camp faculty.
Our meal included homemade pizzas and fruit.
Lit the advent candles and read from the Book of Common Prayer.
Five years together as camp faculty.
Our meal included homemade pizzas and fruit.
Lit the advent candles and read from the Book of Common Prayer.
Krysten and I had a roommate Christmas.
We made tacos and attempted homemade quesadillas.
My second attempt turned out better than the first.
My second attempt turned out better than the first.
Had Lucy's lasagna with Dad on Christmas Eve.
Took some pictures of Christmas lights with Dad on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day at Mom's. Had more fruit -- LOVE IT!
Went to visit the Carrs.
They are simply wonderful.
Played lots of games.
They are simply wonderful.
Played lots of games.
Day made me socks!
I received three ornaments this year.
Chris made me a beach glass ornament:
Chris made me a beach glass ornament:
Amanda sent me this one:
Young Life:
Got a new camera. It has a "punk" setting:
Excited for 2012!
Celebrating Christmas
There's nothing better than celebration.
Celebrating Christmas with my brother growing up has been one of the highlights of my childhood. He woke everyone up early Christmas morning. It was awesome to see and feel his excitement.
Christmas is great because we are able to celebrate our Brother's birth. As I remember Christmas, I also look forward to Easter knowing that without Jesus dying and being raised from the dead, Christmas would be just another birthday of a good man. But with Easter, Christmas is the birth of my Savior. The Man who defeated Death. The One who cared enough about His Creation to redeem it.
My dad found this new Hillsong video. I like it because of all the children. Christmas is celebrating the birth of a Child. A Child who was BORN a KING.
Celebrating Christmas with my brother growing up has been one of the highlights of my childhood. He woke everyone up early Christmas morning. It was awesome to see and feel his excitement.
Christmas is great because we are able to celebrate our Brother's birth. As I remember Christmas, I also look forward to Easter knowing that without Jesus dying and being raised from the dead, Christmas would be just another birthday of a good man. But with Easter, Christmas is the birth of my Savior. The Man who defeated Death. The One who cared enough about His Creation to redeem it.
My dad found this new Hillsong video. I like it because of all the children. Christmas is celebrating the birth of a Child. A Child who was BORN a KING.
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