MySpace Animal.

Currently Listening Define the Great Line (CD & DVD) By Underoath see related

INTERNS = EXITEMENT

There's something about interns coming in that just makes things exiting. Something about fresh blood, new ideas, non-conformed thoughts, and creative and sometimes impossible ideas that stir things up.

Maybe it exites me simply because it was the internship program that sky rocketted me into the year-round position here at the great C.S. I remember the glory days...

I've been thinking alot about (due to a discussion that started the wheels turning) how it's so easy to look back on the past, and forget the pains... and only remember the great things. I know at first this may seem contrary to some (including me), because it seems more likely to look back at the negative. But, I've found that a horrible and "wretched" trap to fall into is to look at where you are, then look back at the past and wish you were still "there" forgetting that "there" had it's set of struggles and issues... and when we were "there" , you would look back at "before there" and wish that's where we were. (i think i just lost everybody)

So, I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I've really been dealing with being content with were God has placed you.... because there is truly no where better to be than now. (even if you think so)

Currently Watching Batman Begins (Widescreen Edition) By Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Ken Watanabe see related

This is a great article posted on www.relevantmag.com, and I thought everyone should read it.  

A little over a month ago, I sat in my bleak living room with a close friend discussing issues surrounding life. My friend’s eyes began to swell with tears as he talked about his future; it would be merely days before he would get engaged. And as I sat there quietly, holding on dearly to every word, I listened to my friend's heart break for people. You see, my friend has poured himself into a couple of his coworkers. He has not condemned their lifestyles or even attacked their displays of worldliness. My friend has shared something much simpler. My friend has shared love.

But as I sit here in a warm, comfortable place, drinking my usual cup of morning coffee, I can’t remember the last time I shed tears for such a cause. To be quite honest, I can’t even remember the last time I shed tears out of a love for people. And as I think about that statement, I am ashamed of my own selfishness. I get so caught up in feeling sorry for myself that I don’t realize the gifts I receive every day. The older I get, the more I want and the more I demand—all in the name of being, or at least feeling, established. But this whole thing isn’t even about me. It is about something much bigger, a picture my mind cannot grasp or behold.

It makes me literally sick to think about the comfort zone I call most of my life—the same people, the same job, the same experiences. I can’t help but think about the boxes we often put ourselves—and our beliefs—in. What would happen if we walked up to complete strangers and genuinely told these people they were beautiful? Would people think we were crazy if we let them know that somehow, through all the pain and suffering, things were going to work out? You see, I am convinced we don’t need more religion, more self-help propaganda or more megachurches. We don’t need newer sanctuaries, spiral staircases or bigger projection screens. What we need, as the entire human race, is hope.

As a Christian, my hope is indeed in the sacrifice, Jesus Christ. And I do believe Christianity cannot be associated with any of the other major religions, a common belief in today’s universalistic theme. But we as Christians have made such a mockery of compassion. It isn’t about “us versus them,” or about "Christian versus secular." Have we really forgotten that, regardless of our beliefs, we are all indeed people? We are a people who deal with the joys of life as well as the heartache. And these realities don’t pay bias to social class, race, religion or sexual orientation. These realities affect us all.

But why then have we developed these “safety zones” in which the world only laughs? One of my friend’s colleagues brought forth a valuable question I have not been able to shake. He asked my friend about the concept behind Christian bookstores. He went on to question if we, as Christians, really believed that either he or his friends would ever step foot in a place such as this. Over the course of the last month, I have found myself thinking about this continuously. And all I can mumble is "point taken."

Since moving to Minneapolis last October, my perspective on life and the concept of social injustice has changed greatly. I have witnessed firsthand the growing problem of urban sprawl as well as the heartache of living extremely close to people who call the streets home. And in many ways I envy these people. For though they have little, they seem to somehow find the good in an absence of possessions. But I cannot say the same. I can never seem to find satisfaction in the things I already own, which leaves me always wanting more. And it is only when I surround myself with people such as these that I am able to remain still and truly enjoy the beauty of my God.

This need for help follows us literally everywhere. It doesn’t take much effort to find a single mother struggling to provide for her children, or witness a man walking the streets in search of a meal. It doesn’t take a lengthy assessment to locate those individuals who are hurting, desiring nothing more than to find comfort and healing. But what it does take is love. And we must not become numb to these occurrences or tragedies. We cannot simply ignore the conditions that are only worsening in places such as Darfur, many areas of the Middle East and within blocks of our own residences.

Who knows, maybe I am being a little naïve. Or maybe I don’t want to ever stop believing that my hands, and my hard work, can actually bring about change and give hope to those who struggle with this precious gift we call life. Please, brothers and sisters, let us walk beside those individuals who are different from us, not run from them. Please, let us call upon our God for greater strength, and for the ability to see all people as Christ would see them, that a love far greater than all the pain and hurt may be revealed. And finally, let none of us, even for a moment, stop truly believing this world can, and will, one day be a better place.

Currently Watching Friday Night Lights (Widescreen Edition) By Billy Bob Thornton, Lucas Black (II), Derek Luke, Jay Hernandez see related

Change in colors due to comments on my masculinity. I AM MANLY!!!!!!

Currently Reading The One Minute Manager Anniversary Ed : The World's Most Popular Management Method By Kenneth H. Blanchard, Spencer Johnson see related

What's New??

As always, when you only post once or twice a  month, so much happens in that time frame. Camp has been busy, we just got back from our "Fall Retreat". We had an amazing time. I feel like Nate really set the standard with our spiritual focus being on our personal lives, and not only on camp.

Tony Sutherland came out and worshiped with us one night. If you dont' know anything about Tony, he is an amazing man of God with a heart to worship and teach. We some really great moments during the reteat. I felt like it truly was a time of spiritual refocusing.

Something that God has really been working in me is the whole concept of spiritual relationships... especially in the area of mentorship. I feel like my eyes have been opened to the reality that in December I will leave here and go to Texas. Then, after sometime (i dont know how much) I will leave there and attempt to plant myself elsewhere. Over the course of the next 60 years, there is no telling how many people I will come in contact with, some of who God will link me up with, linking our heart, lives and ministries together... to grow and pull form one another.

I sat down with a man here at Camp Sonshine about a month and a half ago. I really felt I needed to tell this person the inpact that they had on my life. During that conversation I began to realizem that no matter where I go or what I am doing, God has linked my heart with those of certain men. Men that have the freedom to call me and challenge me, lift me up... and be my shield bearer in the hard battles.

For the most part, I have really only had one mentor in my life. For those of you who know me well know who this is. But as God began to develope this in me, I realized that I need a "well-rounded counsel" of mentors. Not just one's that make me feel good. I need ones that ask the tough quesitons.. one's that don't always see eye to eye with me.

If I ever want to grow into the man has called me to be.... I need to grab a hold of the many resources that He has and always will put before.... I nee to out and get what I want. I f I see a man has Godly characteristics that I want in my life... I need to go to that person and tell themm allowing them to speak into my life.

Currently Reading Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life By Spencer Johnson see related