Nostalgia

I was recently looking at a photo album I received from a really good friend of mine, whom I appreciate and have the utmost respect for, for my high school graduation gift. It contained pictures of me and close friends from youth back in the day, and had pictures of all the people who had a huge impact on forming who I am today. Those who came to youth and left, those who were a huge part throughout all my years in youth, and even those who mentored me, helped me shape into the man of God I became in high school. Although I was a stubborn teenager who didn't know what he wanted, and who waivered worse than trees in the wind, these people stuck by me, extended grace when I really didn't deserve it, and showed me love like I had never felt. They exemplified a God who they talked about, but managed to walk the walk. Although I am not sure where each one is at now, I know that those days were incredible, they were filled with so much adventure, with so much passion, and just a sense that we all had each other's back, through thick and thin.

I am sure many of you are aware that I didn't have the strongest family situation growing up, but in my eyes, although I am not in contact with many of the faces I saw, there is a sense of looking back on old family photographs. Pictures of retreats, of times of prayer, times that I know there were tears that followed, and times that you just can't help but look at and smile. :) Lately I have had a real sense of missing high school, and all those that made it so special. There are things that I look back and forehead-palm, and turn a little red. I mean there will always be high school drama, but it just seems so insignificant right now.

So as I reflect, and notice how long this blog has become, I want to pose this question: Do you ever look back and remember the good times. The nights where you couldn't stop laughing because EVERYTHING was funny? The days where you struggled to get through class to see those people who knew exactly who you were and appreciated you for that? Or maybe just hanging out with those couple of close friends and talking relationships and that "special someone" who you would give your arm and your leg to date?

I know it is not good to live in the past, and it can be dangerous if that is what engulfs who you become. There are those who never get out of high school and live that lifestyle in there middle age years. But I think we need to look back and truly appreciate where we have been.

I encourage you, look back and think of something or someone you are thankful for. If you believe in God, thank Him for the blessings that were given to you. If you don't take some time to reminisce on the good ol' days.

To those reading this, and we were close or even just everyday friends, thank you for your investment in my life, and taking the time to get to know me. If you went to youth with me back in high school; you are family and thanks so much. If I have hurt you and you have some bent up anger towards me, I am sorry, and I hope you can understand that I am also just a man, and I have made MANY mistakes in my short life on this earth. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, because I am just a man. Our lives are way to short to hold grudges, and we need to spread the love. I have seen many acts of forgiveness and some really big ones at that.

2 Corinthians 9:14-15

 - ¹⁴ And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Is True Wisdom Knowing When to Keep our Mouths Closed?

1 Cor. 1:27-31 - 


²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[b]






One of the things I have been battling with is my craving for understanding. I want to better understand why I believe what I believe, and also why I stand up for what I stand up for. It is not easy living in a society that we do where the Christian faith has gone from a majority to minority in the couple decades. There are many more faiths out there, and many that to the large amount of people look more appealing than Christianity. I love the occasional debate with people, and discussing different angles on things of life. And with every debate or argument, I am finding myself wanting, once again, to better understand. Although there are many out there that it is easier to live a blind faith, I personally prefer to have an educated faith. Whether that means looking at commentaries or reading books on different topics, it is not as simple for me to just say "I do this because in my heart I know it is right, and nothing will change that". I tried that once, and found myself shaken as soon as someone brought up the possibility of it not happening. I had no defence, and I was helpless in the argument. Also, growing up I did not have a faith in Christ, therefore everything I have learned and lived has been in the last 8-9 years. I have been to Bible College and plan on attending seminary eventually, and I have appreciated the people I have met along the way, because I have gotten a better understanding from many different perspectives. 


Now don't get me wrong, by no means do I not deep down in the deepest part of my heart believe that God is a mighty and powerful God, and also in the trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and also the resurrection and coming again of Christ, but to blindly say "this is true just because..." I find it a little difficult.


But to what extent is it time to just take what you learn, and rather than debate and cause a ruckus, just relax, and share with those who are willing to listen. Although I do like to ask tough questions of people and their faith, especially those who believe in God, I sometimes wonder if maybe it would just be smarter to be quiet than to stir the pot. And maybe sometimes there ARE things in the faith that it is just better to not understand. There are things that we will NEVER be able to understand because we are not God. And there are things that no one will be able to prove until we actually meet God. 


Where is the balance, of faith and understanding, on which we can teeter. Is it better to have more faith? Is it better to have more understanding? I don't know, I just know that it is the salvation and grace given to us by God that we are able to press on, wake up another day, and walk another mile.


I am beginning to understand how unworthy I am of ministry on my own, and even with the grace of God. But it is in the weakness that God can make us strong.


Be strong my friends, and may you never stop seeking the one who created and loves you more than you will ever know.

A party isn't a party unless there's people to party with!

BYAAAAAAMMMM!


In a way I kind of wish I could have some sick techno beat playing in the background, so as you read, it actually feels like you're at a party. But alas, that is not a function I have found yet.

But one thing that continues to consume my thoughts and just my thankful spirit lately is all the people we have in our lives. People from teachers who took the extra time to make sure we understood something, the coach who gave us that extra push to learn something new or gave us a shot to do something brilliant, even though it was obvious that we didn't have the skill for it. Or maybe it was a mentor that walked with you rather than dragged you along while they kept running.

But one thing that I know all of us had/have in our life, is that one friend, or many many friends, who you now that have your back, that care about you, that will go that extra mile just to prove they are your friend. Luckily, I have many. Although we do go our separate ways, it's always nice to come back together and pick up where you left off. As I go into wedding planning and making a guest list for my wedding, I begin to realize how I was never really close with my family. Unless it was a holiday, we never really saw family growing up. The only real connection I feel I ever had was with my cousin, but even in that he was older, so I was kind of the tag along cousin. Although marigan has a ton of family, I realize that my side at our wedding will be a majority of friends. People who I have come alongside and we have experienced that part of our life together.

The thing I love about people, is no matter who you are, or how long you acknowledge one another, we leave an impression or an imprint upon them. Think about it. When we walk down the street, we may see a person and say hi even if we don't know them, and chances are they will react in some way. It may catch them offgaurd, and they may think about it. But if you were ever to see that person again, chances are they will remember you as the "he/she said hi to me on the street" person. For that brief moment, you were a part of their life. You were significant amidst everything else around them. There is also the chance we may hurt someone, and unfortunately that is the last thought they have of us.

I remember the one year I went to an actual camp when I was little, there was a week end dance, and although I was like 8 at the time, I had to go with a girl. I was barely out of the "girls are disgusting" phase, and I'm being pressured by the guys in my cabin. Well, I remember there was a girl and her name was Marta. I still remember vividly asking her if she would go to the dance with me, and then, like the night before, for the life of me I can't remember why, but I dumped her lol. I remember sitting around the fire that night, and she was crying and her friends were consoling her while I felt like an idiot. I didn't know why, I just wanted to dance.... Kidding. But that is the impression I left on her, and to this day I feel bad, because that was her last impression of me.

Where I am gettin at, is I have a great group of friends that I wouldn't trade for the world, whether I met you back in school, or high school, or youth group, or college, you have left a huge imprint on my life. And although I was never blessed with having a close family, and never really had that support from home, God blessed me by surrounding me with some incredible people. So thank you, and although there have been some that haven't left the best impression upon us, we have done the same to others. So be easy to forgive, for there are those hwho struggle just as much to forgive you. :)

Bazinga :)

Welcome to the party!

Holler at your homeboy!

Well, here is attempt one! although I wanted to blog last night, I was tired,and I made it a priority that this isn't the place to write down your thoughts when you are either tired or emotionally driven (angry, bitter, sad, etc.) I am still torn at how often I am supposed to write one of these things. Is it once a day? Is it weekly? Monthly? Yearly? If you can shed some light, please let me know in the comments!

So I was wrestling with what I should write in this thing. I want to kind of keep the party theme in my titles, just to show the progression lol although I have a feeling it won't last. My hope and goal is to write down my thoughts, my ideas, my opinions, and just put them out there. I would love to start discussions and have people respond and give me their thoughts. I want my blog to have purpose, to challenge people, and to just cause people to think about why we do what we do.

I'm gonna double blog today, just because I wanted to get this out and let you know the purpose behind my blogs, and kind of make a vision for them, a mission statement if you will :)

And thats the way the cookie crumbles.

Well Why the Flip Not?

Guten Morgen (loose translation haha)

So it feels like a blog would be a cool way to express my thoughts and ideas of the things that I surround myself with and also the things I don't have much choice about. Although I sometimes like to try, I really am no intellectual, so chances are these will be very simple in regards to the understanding of the words I use and also the length of them. I will try and restrict myself, as I have found I use the word haha way to much when writing anything on the internet. 

So please, take some time to read, maybe even reply, and I will do my best to at least present some compelling ideas, maybe arguments, or even just start a flame war (just kidding about the flame war....).

May God's peace be with you.

(I plan to work on a cool way to sign these things off! haha the closest thing I got was that so far)