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Name: Benjamin
Country: United States
State: Texas
Metro: Fort Worth
Gender: Male
Interests: The Person: I am a recent Bible College graduate, youth Ministry is my thing. I am now a student at Dallas Theological Seminary working on my Master's in Christian Education, emphasis - Youth Ministry....could you expect anything else? My hearts burns and passion yerns for Student Discipleship.
The Interests: Following my Rabbi and Savior all the days of my life, football, a love and passion for music, The St. Louis Cardinals (born and raised), Youth Ministry...and continually progressing in the faith, and helping teenagers reach their full potential in Christ, knowing they can be like him in His human nature, and following after that example all the days of their life.
The Bottom Line: Creating 1st century disciples in a 21st century world.
Expertise: You know, I am still trying to figure that out.......wait wait wait....cereal.....eating lots and lots of cereal....
Occupation: Student
Industry: Research
Message: message me
Member Since:
3/12/2005
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| GutsNo my friends, I am not talking about the extreme sports show on Nickeloden.....although, I did love that show, and would continually watch the re runs. No, the guts I want to share with you were shown all over a seminary wall. Early last week, I made my normal afternoon run into the student center at the seminary, where I check my mail, throw away junk mail, and later throw away the other mail that I get. I am typically one track minded for some reason when I do this. (I don't know why, so don't even ask yourself that). Well on this day, everything was different. As I walked down the hallway, I happened to glance over to an announcement board on the left with a piece of paper stating this. "Engagement Ring For Sale - SHE SAID NO!!!!!". At first, I just smirked, but then I busted out into an uncontrollable laughter. Now, I am sure that the dude is pretty banged up with the whole situation, but plastering it on a wall at Dallas Seminary isn't gonna heal the pain.....especially the $3500 pain that it left in his wallet. The sign also proceeded to give his e-mail, and a few other small items. So here's the thing: Never in my life would I think that I would walk down a hall at my seminary and see this sign on a wall. This is the kind of stuff that drove me up the wall at Bible College, and yet it still exists in Seminary. I couldn't help but laugh at the whole thing. I feel for my brother, but gez edith man......you gotta know that ya know....and if for some reason you screw up.....yeah, don't put it on a wall somewhere. Needless to say, I walked by that same wall later that afternoon, and the sign was gone. I gather two conclusions. One, the seminary found out, and tore it down, along with ridiculing the young man, or two, some bright eyed guy got an idea for an engagement ring for his girl. And actually...yeah, let me make this disclaimer. If your girlfirend ever finds out that you bought the ring from a guy who tried to sell it off of a seminary wall, your gonna be posting that same sign on another wall.....just pick a different seminary....SWBTS in Ft. Worth would be nice. They need a little excitement over there. Anywho....the crazy seminary life rolls on, and I can't help but love it!
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| the t-shirtIf your thoughts were written on a shirt that you wore, what would they say? Or maybe, if your thoughts floated just slightly above your head, what would you resonate? As a minister and seminarian, my thoughts are many. I often wonder what it would be like to return to my childhood and look above my head. What would I see? In hindsight, I see a boy with hopes and dreams of changing the world. Lately, those thoughts have been different. They have been thoughts that have wondered far from my dreams. My shirt as a child would read in big letters on the front – DREAMER. Where I am at now, I where the shirt SURVIVOR. No longer do I want to live in this life only just to survive. I desire to thrive. I want my thoughts and life to live, reflect and thrive off of the very nature of Christ that can only be obtained by steadily walking my path. I often look at the teaching of Christ wondering…..yes, just that simply wondering. See, it is the lack of wonder in our lives that have caused us to wear shirts that scream BURN OUT, QUITER, or FAILURE. It is these shirts, or these thoughts that have caused us to forget the reason why we are to breathe on this earth. It is to live in this wonder of God. This semester I am taking a class with Prof. Hendricks again. It is called “Creativity”. I know what you are thinking – “wow, what a name – you would like a world class seminary could think of a better name than that”. Actually, the name fits the class and conviction quite well. Our lives and churches today are searching for something that they left back in their childhood, only wishing to go back and live their dream – their dream of becoming something great. This greatness, is as not as far off as it seems. This greatness is just down the yellow brick road, away from the clitter and clatter of our lives. It is not far really – it is just past our reality, and not far from our dreams. It dwells deep inside of us, yearning to come out. As I wear my heart on my sleeve, with my shirt that says SURVIVOR – I long for those days of greatness. I pray for those days of greatness – where down is up, and up is down and all we can do is sit back and wonder. | | |
| What a summer it has beenIn recent times (this last week)....I have been asked by some very important people (Chris Middleton) to update my life. For most, this could seem a difficult task....but not for me, for when I last posted....in late April sometime, there were a lot of changes going on....in fact they were all great chances which I couldn't wait to get my hand on......so let the updating process begin!!!!
I have recently moved ot the great city of Ft. Worth, TX.....I am still not a fan of TX, but the city of Ft. Worth is a great place to live, and have a good time, especially where I am currently serving. I moved to Ft. Worth to take a part time position at an amazing church....where we have had an amazing summer thus far. I find Ft. Worth better than Dallas for numerous reasons including that it reminds me a lot of home (St. Louis)....the people are nicer, they still don't know how to drive, (but they are a billion times better than dallas drivers....which brings them near how people in the midwest drive....as gentlemen =))....and it is just much more peaceful over here near the west texas border.....plus, I can throw a rock (exagerating) to my church, a grocery store, the place where I get my hair cut, wal-mart, target, and movie theater, and a pretty nice mall....oh and that ice cream place I shouldn't be going to....all from my back porch. Pretty nice eh? Also, for the first time ever, I am living on my own...with no roomate (I love you joshua)....so I watch king of the hill by myself now, and have to cook for myself....dang it bobby.....oh speaking of cooking for myself....much props goes out to my grandma for hooking my up with some sweet new pots and pans....time to turn it up a notch, bam! I have to say the greatest thing about moving to Ft. Worth though, has been being around some really cool people. I am still exercising a lot, and playing raquetball 3 times a week at the church with a bunch of guys.....yes, my church has a raquet ball court.....killer....and things have been just grand. I must also mention that every one, plus their grandma is trying to get me hooked up with people....please stop!!!!
Continuing on with the summer....it has been fabulous....we have been back from beach camp for a little over a week now....and it was amazing. I did my first baptisms ever....4 to be exact....it was really cool. As far as summer reading goes, I have actually be relly productive reading title ssuch as - So You want to be like Christ? - surprised by joy - the volunteer revolution - Velvet Elvis - The 10 commandments of dating (for Sunday Brunch) - and maybe some excerpts.....
Oh....lastly, I have figured out my divine purpose in life....TO KNOW HIM....period the end.....
I hope everyone finds life well....sorry for the random update.....my life moves, it changes and it grows....blessings...
missldeton...you better write a good tear jerking comment | | |
| let the relocation process begin! | | |
| Make the Most...of every opportunity!
I have found lately that the Lord tends to teach me the most humbling
of principles in the most public of places. When these moments
happen, you might not always see it on my face, actions or words, but
know that the Lord has got me...oh yes, right in His grasp going
"remember?"....oh man....it causes me to laugh and cry at the same
time. Here is the instance...
Just yesterday morning I was at work going about my usual morning, as I
normally do. Lately, there has been one of my cashiers that has
been really driving me up a wall, with his actions, attitude, and just
the way he presents himself. This particular morning he continued
in his anticts, and I became more frustrated. I went to my boss,
suggesting that maybe it would be a good idea that we get him out of
the department (which is what this guy wanted anyway). My boss
ensured me that time would tell, and not to let it bother me. I
took the words in, but I must have spit them out, and not swallowed
them, because they didn't click right away. I then walk back to
break board, finishing up what I need to do there, and this guy was
standing right there, waiting to wait on customers. He then says
to me "Your a Reverend right?" I said, "Yeah, I am". This guy
then proceeds to tell me his entire life story (in between customers),
of how he was raised catholic, but doesn't believe it, and wants to
convert to Christianity. *This is when the Lord Got me* I
felt like God saying to me, "you know, in the midst of your anger with
this man, who in essence did nothing to you, you forgot he needs
Me". I did....I completely forgot about his soul. There was
probably some thought along the line that I thought he was to out of
reach for God. Forgive me Lord.....what was I thinking!....(I
wasn't).
Needless to say, in the midst of my ignorance and God's grace, I was
able to share the gospel with that guy yesterday. He let me know
that he wasn't ready to convert yet, but I now know there is a seed,
and God will cause it to grow, and if I had never gotten over my anger
with him, that would have never happen.
Forgive me Lord for my selfish stupid way I look at things, and think I
always win with my anger. The Bottom line is....you love this
guy, and even for that reason alone should cause me to love him, no
matter where he is at with you.
I learned a great lessson in humility yesterday.
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