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| The obligatory post.Forwards are kinda goofy, and I normally don't honor them. But I don't want to be dishonest, so I'm posting this as required.
Leave your name in my blog comments.
I will respond to you here on my blog page with...
1. Something random about you.
2. The song or movie you remind me of.
3. The kind of drink I'd share with you.
4. Something that only makes sense to you and me.
5. My first memory of you.
6. What animal you remind me of.
7. A question I've always wanted to ask you.
PS: One day I want to meet one of the creators of history's biggest e-mail or social network forwards. Do you think he or she is a crazy person, out of their mind lonely, or just a creative old grandma who likes to see the influence she has on the world's citizens? | | |
| Newark, OhioSo, Jay asked for an update. What a day to ask for one!
So, Newark. I've grown up here most of my life. Never really thought it was a crazy city, except when occasionally making jokes about being from "Nerk,Ahia"
My first night back in town for Christmas break:
My mom and I witnessed an armed robbery this evening (or yesterday evening if you want to get all technical) from roughly 8-10 feet away. It still feels pretty unreal. Fortunately nobody was hurt, and the guy just ran away with the cash. But one of the cashiers totally broke down. Any prayers you could send her way, and the way of this desperate man would be greatly appreciated.
When I saw his gun, all I could do was look away and not make eye contact, whispering the name of Jesus. I didn't really have time to think about it, because it all happened so fast. My mom's kind of shook up, and I'm not sure if I will be or not, at least for now it's just a new crazy story to tell.
Praise God for His protection and faithfulness!
JP :) | | |
| Great Quote
A friend sent me a quote that I wanted to put on my wall. So naturally I had to make it look cool first.
Enjoy!
JP | | |
| The post of excessive lengthSo this xanga post may or may not be incredibly over due. And by the watchful count of a friend of mine, one day past a month since I last posted.
So much has happened since I last wrote. My summer is flying by, and as I sit here listening to The Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack, I feel as though my summer is flowing through my fingers like sand that I want to hold but ultimately can't stop its movement.
I had a revelation not so long ago. God spoke to me through the innocent questioning of one of my favorite students. When asking me about how I spend my free time, and upon receiving my careful crafted answer that worked so hard to give the impression of a normal, well-adjusted and balanced life, mentioning my photography, design, reading, biking, and computers; he simply asked me "so when do you have your friends over and just spend time with them."
I can't remember how I skirted around his question, but the lack of a satisfying answer to his question haunts me to my core. More than ever before, I can truly see myself as the utterly disconnected person that I currently am. And the truth is, I could deal with it if I understood it and saw a definitely cause, but at this point I lack the clarity. I can identify with Paul at knowing what I want to do but not doing it. I desire to know my friends on a deeper level, but the enemy is doing everything he can to keep me disconnected.
I know that the relational God that I serve, in whose image I was lovingly crafted, would not have this for me in His perfect will. I desperately desire to hear from Him and receive a hint of understanding. It's not that I've never seen this before, it's just that it's importance has never hit me so hard.
Other than this journey, in the area of my time at the Zone, I'm officially half way through. It's been a testing and tiring journey at times, with more letdowns and disappointments and echoes of inadequacy than I would have imagined, but I know it's where I'm supposed to be. And I know that THIS is what I am called to: some kind of involvement in young people's lives, it's just that I see now how much I really have to learn and become before ever getting near the teacher that I dream of being.
The relationships that I've built however stand as most likely the primary encouragement I've gotten. I honestly feel that I have a definitely impact in at least two of my students lives. I know that out of 30-some that's a terrible ratio, but it's enough to carry me through the difficult times.
And I'm learning a lot of life lessons along the way. I know that it could only be God's grace that has gotten me this far, and I know that it's only Him who could continue to strengthen, inspire, and guide me through the rest of it.
And I feel that I am beginning to ramble, and I apologize, but you chose to read this and just think of it as all that you've missed during the last few weeks.
As I'm listening to the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack, I await breathlessly the tenth track, "Crowning Peter. Something in my heart of hearts leaps at the story of Peter Pevensie. Some part of who I truly am, identifies with his story and cries out to live in the adventure of the great lion. Some deeply buried core part of me craves to have a grand story thrust upon me, to have one greater than myself to live and fight under his name, to face danger, to plunge desperately into battles I cannot win, and to arise victorious from the ashes, as a scared boy becoming a courageous and selfless man.
And a small voice inside of my heart whispers to me saying "this IS your story my son, you have but to open your eyes to the story around you and chose to follow me into the unknown."
And while I therapeutically journal on, I want to share a vision I saw at Prayer & Praise last wednesday. I say small children, delighted to dance in barely usable sprinkler, with no idea that summer thunderstorm was only miles away. I know that God has so much He wants to give us of Himself, but you and I are so contently to play in the sprinkler, only just temporarily satiating our thirst for Him, instead of seeking out his downpour.
Yeah, and so I shot my first paid wedding on 7.7.07. I'm looking forward to showing the new couple the photos. I hope they really like them. And my brother is finishing up his time in India soon, it sounds like his trip has been incredible. I'm so excited to hear his stories and see how it's affected him. And now I'm just ready for bed. Call me if you want more, it'll be good to hear from you. Really, call me.
Your friend,
John-Paul
PS: I met another John-Paul today, he was nice. I'm glad I share my name with him.
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