Tomorrow night around the globe people will be counting down the change from 2007 to 2008. As we have all seen on television 2007 has been an interesting year. Celebs had falls from grace, lots of criminal activity, and a few shiny moments in the news. All the news stations are counting down the most influential, notrious, interesting, etc. events of 2007. I thought that I would take the time to personally do this.
My best moment of 2007: the first night I spent in my new townhouse. It marked the beginning of the next step of my life and was quite exciting!
My worst moment of 2007: saying a final good-bye to a wonderful friend that died suddenly.
My most interesting moment of 2007: Brett Farve surpassing Dan Marino's record. What a thrill!
My most memorable moment of 2007: saying good-bye to family and friends in Sheridan as I prepared to move to VA. Hard, exciting, scary, wonderful, sad, happy, so many emotions in such a short period of time.
Least expected moment of 2007: the people I met out here. I have such a wonderful, interesting group of friends out here. I didn't expect to meet such wonderful, but all very different people out here. Interesting that we all get along. LBTS people are great! Oh yes and meeting Brian...
So there you have it. My moments of 2007. So much has happened, as it does every year. With all that happened this year, I can't wait to continue the journey in 2008!!! May ya'all reflect on your year, and anticipate the good and bad times of 2008. The good times rock, but the bad are where we can really shine. Dealing with adversity with grace is such a wonderful character trait, one that I am trying to improve. We all face adversity in one form of another, we might as well do our best to reflect Christ while facing it.
I hope to spend time with as many of ya'all as possible in 2008.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day!
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (St. Luke 2).
I don't know how I'd ever be able to navigate this life if it wasn't for the babe in the manger those many years ago. Babies are cute, wonderful, and grow into adults, many of which are wonderful, and a few cute. Jesus was not one of those. He grew into an adult that was the Savior of the world. A man that knew the full extent of being a human. A God that loved His creation so much that He came down, so that we could be up with Him one day.
It is typical to spend the time between now and New Year's pondering the year that is ending and looking forward to the year that is about to begin. As I look back I see a roller coaster. A few totally amazing things happened this year, and a few totally devastating things as well. You know what else I see? I see God. I see His hand guiding my steps. I see Him taking me in His arms and telling me that He is in control, and He loves me. That I will be able to wake up the next day. Throughout the events of the year I see God.
How do people navigate this life without God? I know some do a very awful job at it, and yet others seem to be living satisfying lives without God. They seem content, no debt, lots of friends, a family they love, a fulfilling career, a nice home, hobbies, etc. These are the people I pray for the most. The people that on the outside don't seem to need God.
It is easy to pray for people on the street, getting divorced, alcoholics, in debt, in the hospital, injured, troubled, the train wrecks on tv. We know that those people need the Lord, it is quite evident. It is the people that do not know they need the Lord, and that other people see are doing just fine. These are some people I hurt for the most. Who is going to share Christ with them? Just because a person is traveling on a flat road does not mean that they don't need help. All people need help. All people need Christ. ALL fall short of the glory of God.
This year has not been easy, but it has been a year, 365 days full of opportunities to grow stronger and more mature in Christ, and to share my Savior with others. 365 days where I can tell my friends and family that I love them.
All in all, I am one very blessed individual. I live the most precious country in the world, I have a nice home with heat/ac, electricity, cable, internet, nice furnishing, a wonderful cat, friends, family, a great seminary where I am growing in my knowledge and walk with Christ. I have a car that runs economically, and many wonderful books and knicknacks. I am mostly healthy (a migraine here and there, a few other problems, but overall mostly healthy), I am well fed, and very blessed. Life is mostly good. It is such a blessing to live in America. It would take me hours to say why, so I won't (for now)!
"May the road rise to meet you..."
May you see God in the sunshine,
And the work of the Lord in the rain.
May a friend always be by your side,
And wisdom and prayer be your two guides.
May the one, true God be the One you call "Lord".
That is all that it takes to be able to be blessed. Just remember this "Life on earth may be expensive, but it does include free trips around the sun." (don't remember who said that).
Merry Christmas 2007 and Happy Boxing Day!!!
I don't know how I'd ever be able to navigate this life if it wasn't for the babe in the manger those many years ago. Babies are cute, wonderful, and grow into adults, many of which are wonderful, and a few cute. Jesus was not one of those. He grew into an adult that was the Savior of the world. A man that knew the full extent of being a human. A God that loved His creation so much that He came down, so that we could be up with Him one day.
It is typical to spend the time between now and New Year's pondering the year that is ending and looking forward to the year that is about to begin. As I look back I see a roller coaster. A few totally amazing things happened this year, and a few totally devastating things as well. You know what else I see? I see God. I see His hand guiding my steps. I see Him taking me in His arms and telling me that He is in control, and He loves me. That I will be able to wake up the next day. Throughout the events of the year I see God.
How do people navigate this life without God? I know some do a very awful job at it, and yet others seem to be living satisfying lives without God. They seem content, no debt, lots of friends, a family they love, a fulfilling career, a nice home, hobbies, etc. These are the people I pray for the most. The people that on the outside don't seem to need God.
It is easy to pray for people on the street, getting divorced, alcoholics, in debt, in the hospital, injured, troubled, the train wrecks on tv. We know that those people need the Lord, it is quite evident. It is the people that do not know they need the Lord, and that other people see are doing just fine. These are some people I hurt for the most. Who is going to share Christ with them? Just because a person is traveling on a flat road does not mean that they don't need help. All people need help. All people need Christ. ALL fall short of the glory of God.
This year has not been easy, but it has been a year, 365 days full of opportunities to grow stronger and more mature in Christ, and to share my Savior with others. 365 days where I can tell my friends and family that I love them.
All in all, I am one very blessed individual. I live the most precious country in the world, I have a nice home with heat/ac, electricity, cable, internet, nice furnishing, a wonderful cat, friends, family, a great seminary where I am growing in my knowledge and walk with Christ. I have a car that runs economically, and many wonderful books and knicknacks. I am mostly healthy (a migraine here and there, a few other problems, but overall mostly healthy), I am well fed, and very blessed. Life is mostly good. It is such a blessing to live in America. It would take me hours to say why, so I won't (for now)!
"May the road rise to meet you..."
May you see God in the sunshine,
And the work of the Lord in the rain.
May a friend always be by your side,
And wisdom and prayer be your two guides.
May the one, true God be the One you call "Lord".
That is all that it takes to be able to be blessed. Just remember this "Life on earth may be expensive, but it does include free trips around the sun." (don't remember who said that).
Merry Christmas 2007 and Happy Boxing Day!!!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Things to Do Over Christmas
Dear All,
Hey there! In 7 days it will be Christmas. Many of us are on vacation during this time, visiting friends and family, celebrating the birth and life of our Savior. I figure that just in case you don't have each hour planned you might want some ideas of things to do. So I have compiled a list of things to do.
1) go to www.godtube.com and listen to Ergun Caner give his testimony. It is about 24 mins long, but well worth the time. Mr. Caner is the president of my seminary. He is a former Muslim. Next semester I am taking a class from him. I think you will feel blessed after listening to this testimony.
2) Try to sing familiar Christmas carols backward...it is a great way to burn calories and work out your abs, cuz you will end up laughing!
3) Read the Christmas account from Luke in KJV, NIV and the Message and discuss the differences in language used.
4) Read my blog (which you are doing, so you can cross this off the list)!
5) Call up a friend you haven't talked to in ages and catch up on each other's lives.
6) Build a snowman, if you don't have snow outside use playdough, and hey then you can a make a yellow snowman that isn't gross!
7) Make a video for youtube or godtube that shares your testimony.
8) Make a list of questions you have about God/Christ/the Bible/Christianity (we all have them, even mature Christians, for none of us completely understand God, we can't, but we can search and ask God to reveal Himself and answer our questions). In lieu of making New Year's Resolutions, use the year to find answers to your questions. So much healthier for the soul than trying to lose 18 pounds or give up junk food, or whatever resolutions we make a break with the new year.
9) Watch an animated movie and relive the joy of a child. Don't critique it, just sit, watch and enjoy it.
10) Tell the people around you that you love them. Let your friends know that they are important to you. One thing I have learned in a dramatic and tragic way this year is that we never know how long we have on this earth. We should use our time to share Jesus with as many people as possible, and let our friends and family know that we love them.
Most importantly enjoy the true meaning of Christmas and take time to relax and rejuvenate for the coming year.
Hey there! In 7 days it will be Christmas. Many of us are on vacation during this time, visiting friends and family, celebrating the birth and life of our Savior. I figure that just in case you don't have each hour planned you might want some ideas of things to do. So I have compiled a list of things to do.
1) go to www.godtube.com and listen to Ergun Caner give his testimony. It is about 24 mins long, but well worth the time. Mr. Caner is the president of my seminary. He is a former Muslim. Next semester I am taking a class from him. I think you will feel blessed after listening to this testimony.
2) Try to sing familiar Christmas carols backward...it is a great way to burn calories and work out your abs, cuz you will end up laughing!
3) Read the Christmas account from Luke in KJV, NIV and the Message and discuss the differences in language used.
4) Read my blog (which you are doing, so you can cross this off the list)!
5) Call up a friend you haven't talked to in ages and catch up on each other's lives.
6) Build a snowman, if you don't have snow outside use playdough, and hey then you can a make a yellow snowman that isn't gross!
7) Make a video for youtube or godtube that shares your testimony.
8) Make a list of questions you have about God/Christ/the Bible/Christianity (we all have them, even mature Christians, for none of us completely understand God, we can't, but we can search and ask God to reveal Himself and answer our questions). In lieu of making New Year's Resolutions, use the year to find answers to your questions. So much healthier for the soul than trying to lose 18 pounds or give up junk food, or whatever resolutions we make a break with the new year.
9) Watch an animated movie and relive the joy of a child. Don't critique it, just sit, watch and enjoy it.
10) Tell the people around you that you love them. Let your friends know that they are important to you. One thing I have learned in a dramatic and tragic way this year is that we never know how long we have on this earth. We should use our time to share Jesus with as many people as possible, and let our friends and family know that we love them.
Most importantly enjoy the true meaning of Christmas and take time to relax and rejuvenate for the coming year.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Are You Ready...?
It is now mid December, and the Packers have clinched a playoff position, and the NFC North division! Life is pretty good in football land. My team has only lost twice this season. That is a great thing. Brett Farve is Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year". He is very talented, and willing to play through adversity. The team may not have much of a running game, but what they do has been working fairly well this season. So I ask you, are you ready for the Packers to take the post-season? I sure am!
Here is the thing, we lost to the Bears at home (embarrassing) and to the Cowboys in Dallas. Losing to the Cowboys I could normally deal with, but did you see the game? I seriously want to know how much money the refs were paid by Dallas! The play calling was beyond horrendous. Now, I'm not totally blaming the results on the zebras, but they went out of their way to help Dallas.
So, if we can't even beat the Bears at home, how are we supposed to survive when we meet Dallas in the championship game, to see which NFC team goes to the Superbowl?
First of all, we need honest refs. Second, we need to band together as a team and not only bring our "A" game, but our "A+++" game. We need to play better than we have in any of our games this season. Favre can't throw any interceptions, and the defense needs to shut down TO and keep Dallas from converting on 3rd downs.
If we can do that, we have a good chance of pulling out a victory and making it to the Superbowl. Then, we face our toughest competition in a VERY long time, the New England Patriots. I have little doubt that the Pats will represent the AFC. They are 13-0 after all. Yes, it only takes in 1 defeat in the post-season to be finished, but I think the Pats are going all the way. So how in the world are the Packers going to beat the Patriots, when we lost to the Cowboys in the regular season?
That is going to take a mighty act of being a unified team. The boys have to give it all they have, and then some. The Patriots have proven to be a formidable foe, but a foe with holes in its armor. Yes, they are undefeated, but it has been very iffy a few times. They can be beaten. The Packers could very well be the team to do that. The defense cannot allow the Patriots to make it to Red Zone. The defense needs to sack the QB, and keep him scrambling. They need to shut down the run. The offense needs to be on the same page. Brett can't throw interceptions, and the WR's need to be open. The run game has to improve. If all this happens, then the critical defeat for the Patriots will come in Arizona (I think that is where the Superbowl is this season) against the Packers.
So, I ask you again, are you ready for the GREEN BAY PACKERS to WIN the SUPERBOWL???
Here is the thing, we lost to the Bears at home (embarrassing) and to the Cowboys in Dallas. Losing to the Cowboys I could normally deal with, but did you see the game? I seriously want to know how much money the refs were paid by Dallas! The play calling was beyond horrendous. Now, I'm not totally blaming the results on the zebras, but they went out of their way to help Dallas.
So, if we can't even beat the Bears at home, how are we supposed to survive when we meet Dallas in the championship game, to see which NFC team goes to the Superbowl?
First of all, we need honest refs. Second, we need to band together as a team and not only bring our "A" game, but our "A+++" game. We need to play better than we have in any of our games this season. Favre can't throw any interceptions, and the defense needs to shut down TO and keep Dallas from converting on 3rd downs.
If we can do that, we have a good chance of pulling out a victory and making it to the Superbowl. Then, we face our toughest competition in a VERY long time, the New England Patriots. I have little doubt that the Pats will represent the AFC. They are 13-0 after all. Yes, it only takes in 1 defeat in the post-season to be finished, but I think the Pats are going all the way. So how in the world are the Packers going to beat the Patriots, when we lost to the Cowboys in the regular season?
That is going to take a mighty act of being a unified team. The boys have to give it all they have, and then some. The Patriots have proven to be a formidable foe, but a foe with holes in its armor. Yes, they are undefeated, but it has been very iffy a few times. They can be beaten. The Packers could very well be the team to do that. The defense cannot allow the Patriots to make it to Red Zone. The defense needs to sack the QB, and keep him scrambling. They need to shut down the run. The offense needs to be on the same page. Brett can't throw interceptions, and the WR's need to be open. The run game has to improve. If all this happens, then the critical defeat for the Patriots will come in Arizona (I think that is where the Superbowl is this season) against the Packers.
So, I ask you again, are you ready for the GREEN BAY PACKERS to WIN the SUPERBOWL???
Christ Came!!!
Celebrating Christ, means we celebrate life. Christ came that all may have life, and have an abundant and full life. Christ came, so that mankind would no longer have to sacrifice animals to atone for their sins. Christ came to show us what Heaven is like. Christ came to show us how to live our lives. Chris came for a plethora of reasons. During December, Christian around the globe celebrate the fact that Christ came. Christ came down from Heaven. Christ came for each and everyone of us. Our lives can be fuller, happier, filled with joy and peace, all because Christ came.
Not only did Christ come, but Christ died. To celebrate the birth of Christ, we also have to celebrate and remember the death and resurrection of Christ. For Christ did not come to just live here for a few years and go home. Christ was on a mission. The mission was the salvation of souls. Salvation was accomplished through His death on the cross, and His resurrection. Christ came, and Christ accomplished His goals. Mission Accomplished! Christ wins, death loses, Satan is vanquished. Glorious. Christ came, and Christ won the battle.
Merry Christmas, and may the full glory of the season, all the meanings of Christmas be on your thoughts as we prepare to celebrate the miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Amazing love, God came down in the form of a babe. He was born, celebrated, lived, died, and lives again! Immanuel, God was with us then, in that manger, and He is with us now, in our hearts, guiding our lives and loving us. Loving us, fallen, broken, sinful, unworthy mankind. God came to us, because He loves us. Amazing love. We have SO much to celebrate this Christmas! I love this time of year.
Not only did Christ come, but Christ died. To celebrate the birth of Christ, we also have to celebrate and remember the death and resurrection of Christ. For Christ did not come to just live here for a few years and go home. Christ was on a mission. The mission was the salvation of souls. Salvation was accomplished through His death on the cross, and His resurrection. Christ came, and Christ accomplished His goals. Mission Accomplished! Christ wins, death loses, Satan is vanquished. Glorious. Christ came, and Christ won the battle.
Merry Christmas, and may the full glory of the season, all the meanings of Christmas be on your thoughts as we prepare to celebrate the miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Amazing love, God came down in the form of a babe. He was born, celebrated, lived, died, and lives again! Immanuel, God was with us then, in that manger, and He is with us now, in our hearts, guiding our lives and loving us. Loving us, fallen, broken, sinful, unworthy mankind. God came to us, because He loves us. Amazing love. We have SO much to celebrate this Christmas! I love this time of year.
The End
PTL! I can say "the end" to my first semester at seminary. For the most part I am enjoying seminary. I'm learning a heck of a lot of stuff, and I'm friends with some wonderful people (an eclectic group I must admit), and I'm growing in my relationship with Christ. Yet, this has been a tough semester, and my grades reflect that. Next semester should be much better. All in all, this semester is over and now I can focus on Christmas. I get to go down to NC and see all my family there, and then fly home to Sheridan for a bit to see my friends and family there. I love Christmas, because it is a time to see people that I love, and don't get to see any other time, most years. Christmas is also awesome because it is the time when we all can celebrate the birth of Christ and the love of God for each of us.
I don't have much else to say right now (I know, ya'all are shocked). "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, than a half penny will do, and if you haven't got a half-penny, than God bless you!" (from a tapestry I have).
I don't have much else to say right now (I know, ya'all are shocked). "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat. If you haven't got a penny, than a half penny will do, and if you haven't got a half-penny, than God bless you!" (from a tapestry I have).
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
I Think I Can, I Think I Can...
Right now it is only 9:45pm on Tuesday evening (the 11th of December, this 2007th year of our Lord) and I am studying for my final final of my first semester in seminary. I now remember why I was so excited to graduate from high school and college. I love school, because I love to learn. I absolutely detest finals! They are so stressful. Especially when the grade you receive on a final can affect if you will pass the class or not. Finals are part of the evil of this world. I'm totally convinced of this fact.
In 9 hrs and 13 mins (give or take a minute or two) I will be down in "the maze" taking my Old Testament exam. I have been studying my little heart out, so I'm praying that the Lord rewards that, and when I see the exam I remember what I need to remember and clearly show the professor that I know what I'm talking about, and that my grade will reflect all this study time. If not I'm going to scream, and people in Australia will be able to hear me!
I know that I know the material, so I shouldn't be worried, but I am, because I like to do well in school, and I don't feel like I have done well this semester. Yes, I know that personally it has been a tough one. I just hate that I let it get to me and affect my performance in class. I like to excell at what I attempt.
Even though I didn't excell this semester, I do know (deep down) that I did my best, all things considered, so I have rest in the knowledge that God isn't worried about the letter grade, just that I did my best. Then, in January I start afresh with new professors, a blank slate on the grade book, new classes, and 4 new chances to do my best.
I am stressed about the final, because it is a final (so serious sounding), but I think I can do it. I'm like the "Little Engine that Could". I have a big hill to climb, I'm weighted down by the knowledge of hundreds of years of OT history, but I have the strength, and I have God on my side, so I think I can do this!
Check in later to see how I did!
PS. I like this picture, it is calming, and reminds me that in the grand scheme of God, how I do on 1 little exam is not going to affect His love for me, or my love for Him, and His creation. Mountains are awesome, I can't wait to see "My" BigHorns again (Dec. 23)!!! OK...OK...back to studying!
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