Name: Jake Age: 18
Gender: M
Occupation: Student Interests:
Going to class, going home to visit my family and my beautiful girlfriend!, eating, sleeping, doing homework, World of Warcraft, video games, late night donut runs, fooling around at Wal-Mart, playing guitar, wishing on shooting stars, praying, laughing, smiling, writing, loving God, loving others, serving God, serving others
Interests:guitar, bass, drums, singing, songwriting, iPods, computers, Europe, sleeping in, staying up late, video games, star wars, lightsabre duels, yoda impersonations, food fights, super soakers, the pool, long hot summer days, sunday drives, the smell of gasoline, freshly cut grass, khaki shorts, leather sandals, the beach, funny t-shirts, frisbees, barbecues, cooking, stargazing, long telephone conversations, putt putt, doing things you know you're way too old to do, bowling, hiking (not for two weeks though), movie marathons, staying in pajamas all day, really long showers, water beds, movie posters, cars, firearms, cellphone ringtone dancing contests, lively games of "murder in the dark," conversations with younger kids, pretending im a younger kid, and of course, Jesus. Occupation:Student Industry:Nonprofit
I am infinitely thankful for my experiences as a college freshman this school year. I have been exposed to a different world, different people, and different ideas. I feel like I haven't changed much myself, although it would be ignorant to say I have not changed at all. I feel these small changes have been for the better, and have been more of revelations; I believe I have come to a better understanding of the world around me. A sense of purpose has seemed to develop within me for the first time, and that, my friends, is one of the most exciting feelings in the world. Armed with good friends at school and at home, in addition to all of my own God-given talents, I feel like I can step into this summer with purpose, so that when I arrive back at school next year, I will be one step closer to seeing what God has planned for me coming to fruition.
beauty. i have seen her, felt her warmth. our vessel to love as grey march to spring morning she excites the soul, fills the sad, stone heart conquers the darkness, a sliver of God's brilliance a language understood, though asynonymous with infatuation is rather pure and fair and just bringing light to the night-swallowed path mending, understanding, transcending impossibility greeting morning with smiling sun and warming dew overcoming temptation, quelling fear the quotient of the Divine mirrored in flesh
I'm in one of my weird philosophical moods. I like to think about all kinds of random stuff out loud. People probably just read it and think one of two things. The first may be, "Wow, this kid has no life whatsoever," while the second is usually, "Huh?" or, "I don't give a hoot." I dare say it, however, that this is how I grow, and therefore I will do it.
College has really opened my eyes to a different kind of world. That may be surprising coming from a kid who was raised in the Church of God, decided to go to a Church of God school, and considers himself pretty grounded in his beliefs. I thought I was coming to a place that believed generally what I believe; a place where I would fit right in, snug as a bug in a rug.
I was wrong.
I don't consider myself perfect; I see my life as a work in progress, and I believe it will remain that way until the day I die. I have discovered since being here that my faith journey, something that I thought I was doing fairly well with, really has become a struggle for me. I don't say that in a sad, dejected tone, but rather an excited and optimistic one. I have seen from the beginning as my time in college to be a time of growth: a time of being defined and set apart in terms of my faith and my own self-image.
That being said, I have been somewhat discouraged by the way the spiritual aspect of this campus is not necessarily focused on growth, but rather on being challenged. Sometimes these challenges present themselves in a completely secular manner. It is not my intention to say that being challenged is a bad thing. However, in my first 36 chapel experiences here at AU, I can honestly say that a good portion of them have resulted in me being discouraged rather than lifted up. Instead of offering messages of God's eternal hope and love, many of the speakers invited to share what they have to offer their own personal exploits and charades, explaining their importance to the secular world and masking it behind a "crusade for God." Most of us are men and women of faith, yes, but we are not God Himself. There are times on our spiritual journey where we need to rest and be lifted up; there are times where we need guidance and support. Granted, we are not people who have never heard of the love of Jesus Christ before, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded sometimes. I find myself needing that reminder often, actually. I get so busy and forget to thank the one who made it all possible. I feel that if we can try and remember who chapel is about, we can be successful in drawing closer to Him.
For me the question is not how to do chapel, but rather figuring out who God is and how we can live to love and serve Him. If we aim there, we will rarely miss.
What ever happened to Xanga? Did everyone just give up on it? We all were so hardcore about updating this thing and writing out our entire lives, allowing our emotions to spill out across cyberspace like when God knocked over the salt shaker on His tablecloth sky. Why is it that we become so secretive in our day to day conversations, speaking in cryptic hints and steamy gossip. When we don't face anyone but our own computer screen, it seems easier to just let it all hang out; it's like we are talking to no one, when in fact we are talking to everyone. Not anymore, however. The fad has faded, just as myspace has, and how facebook will eventually follow suit. And I sit here now, contemplating why I even type these words in, wondering if they will ever be read by eyes other than myself.
