Friday, November 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
It's been a while. I'm back at GBS for my 6th (and hopefully final) year! It's going great so far! I'm taking the dreaded Biology from Dr. Nadine Brown and it's going quite well so far! I actually have been enjoying the class quite a bit. I'm also "playing" (if you can call it that) ye olde French Horn again for choir against my will. I'm taking Marriage and Family Living (in spite of the psychotic, confusing, hodge podge syllabus). Add to that Ear Training I (although I already passed Ear Training II), Introduction to Philosophy, and, of course, Choir. Not too bad of a schedule, but lots of reading and busywork (especially in Marriage and Family Living)!
In other news, my barbershop has been going quite well! I have done 14 and 1/2 haircuts so far this semester and I'm scheduled to do 4 more this week (although I'm writing this in lieu of a client that failed to show up). Thank God for the extra income! It helps at Christmas time! (I know you all expected me to say that it helps to pay for dates, but in reality, homework dates are cheap so I put it toward buying gifts at Christmas time.)
I am headed for bed. I did not get my practice time done today, however I did make nearly 50 phone calls for Phonathon tonight.
One parting thought: I can have control over my attitudes and moods, but I must choose to contol them or they will control me! Oswald Chambers says that we need not pray about moods. "We will never get rid of moodiness by praying, but we will by kicking it out of our lives...We have to pick ourselves up by the back of the neck and shake ourselves; then we will find that we can do what we believed we were unable to do." It is encouraging to me to know that I do not have to have my day "ruined" by a circumstance. I can choose to kick out the bad mood and move forward joyfully! (I confess it's not as easy as it sounds, but I'm going for it!)
In other news, my barbershop has been going quite well! I have done 14 and 1/2 haircuts so far this semester and I'm scheduled to do 4 more this week (although I'm writing this in lieu of a client that failed to show up). Thank God for the extra income! It helps at Christmas time! (I know you all expected me to say that it helps to pay for dates, but in reality, homework dates are cheap so I put it toward buying gifts at Christmas time.)
I am headed for bed. I did not get my practice time done today, however I did make nearly 50 phone calls for Phonathon tonight.
One parting thought: I can have control over my attitudes and moods, but I must choose to contol them or they will control me! Oswald Chambers says that we need not pray about moods. "We will never get rid of moodiness by praying, but we will by kicking it out of our lives...We have to pick ourselves up by the back of the neck and shake ourselves; then we will find that we can do what we believed we were unable to do." It is encouraging to me to know that I do not have to have my day "ruined" by a circumstance. I can choose to kick out the bad mood and move forward joyfully! (I confess it's not as easy as it sounds, but I'm going for it!)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Mind of Christ
Philippians 2:5-11
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
Growing up in a Christian home and hearing the Gospel message all of my life sometimes makes it easy for me to take it for granted. In my personal Bible study time this morning I was kind of jolted back to reality of how amazing Christ's atonement really is!
Jesus is God and He is equal with God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2)
I thought about how hard it is to humble myself. When I "deserve" respect and do not get it, I am not too happy. I want to see that person "put in their place!" Jesus made himself a man, but not just any man, he became a servant - "becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross."
So, not only did he humble himself greatly in becoming a man, but he humbled himself as a man to be the lowest of all men--a servant. However, He did not stop there. He took on himself the sins of the whole world and died on the cross--the lowest of humanity died in such public shame.
The part that got me was that Jesus did this willingly. He did this for me! I deserve death and humiliation because of my sin, but Jesus took it all upon himself so that I could go free!
"Let this mind be in you." Paul is saying that I need to take on this attitude and mindset. Instead of seeking my own way and demanding my "rights," I should be looking at my example, Jesus Christ, and realizing how much I've been forgiven and, in turn, forgiving others in the same way.
Oh! That the Holy Spirit would fill me and give me this kind of selfless love! I want to be completely surrendered to God, just like my Savior! I want to imitate Christ and let this mindset be in me!
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men;
and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
Growing up in a Christian home and hearing the Gospel message all of my life sometimes makes it easy for me to take it for granted. In my personal Bible study time this morning I was kind of jolted back to reality of how amazing Christ's atonement really is!
Jesus is God and He is equal with God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1-2)
I thought about how hard it is to humble myself. When I "deserve" respect and do not get it, I am not too happy. I want to see that person "put in their place!" Jesus made himself a man, but not just any man, he became a servant - "becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross."
So, not only did he humble himself greatly in becoming a man, but he humbled himself as a man to be the lowest of all men--a servant. However, He did not stop there. He took on himself the sins of the whole world and died on the cross--the lowest of humanity died in such public shame.
The part that got me was that Jesus did this willingly. He did this for me! I deserve death and humiliation because of my sin, but Jesus took it all upon himself so that I could go free!
"Let this mind be in you." Paul is saying that I need to take on this attitude and mindset. Instead of seeking my own way and demanding my "rights," I should be looking at my example, Jesus Christ, and realizing how much I've been forgiven and, in turn, forgiving others in the same way.
Oh! That the Holy Spirit would fill me and give me this kind of selfless love! I want to be completely surrendered to God, just like my Savior! I want to imitate Christ and let this mindset be in me!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Answered Prayer
This morning I had to make an important phone call, but I had a problem - the number I had was not correct. I tried several things, even punching in random extensions, but to no avail. Finally I gave up and just told God, "It's in your hands now. I can't do a thing about it." Not really a prayer request, but more of a giving-up-in-despair request. :)
Immediately the thought came to me to look in the back of an old phone book where we kept special numbers. I was thinking ok, why would we have that number there? but i looked anyway and, to my surprise, there was a number in my Mom's handwriting, albeit a few years old. I tried it and got right through and had no problems doing what I needed to do.
I asked my Mom about the number and she did not even remember writing it there. She even had to get the phone book and look to verify my story after I told her. Coincidence? No! I'd go with Providence! Praise God!
Immediately the thought came to me to look in the back of an old phone book where we kept special numbers. I was thinking ok, why would we have that number there? but i looked anyway and, to my surprise, there was a number in my Mom's handwriting, albeit a few years old. I tried it and got right through and had no problems doing what I needed to do.
I asked my Mom about the number and she did not even remember writing it there. She even had to get the phone book and look to verify my story after I told her. Coincidence? No! I'd go with Providence! Praise God!
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Comfort of Contentment
As grieved, but always rejoicing; as poor, but enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things. ~2 Cor. 6:10
God's grace is always enough to meet and surpass our needs. Rather than wanting more, we should learn to be content and seek to be more generous.
In spite of circumstances that, to the world without Christ, seem to strip everything good away, we can "rejoice always," "enrich many" (generosity and the message of the Gospel), and "possess all things."
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
God's grace is always enough to meet and surpass our needs. Rather than wanting more, we should learn to be content and seek to be more generous.
In spite of circumstances that, to the world without Christ, seem to strip everything good away, we can "rejoice always," "enrich many" (generosity and the message of the Gospel), and "possess all things."
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
River Walk
Yesterday, I went for a walk along the Boardman river with my sisters and Maria. It was beautiful!
We saw this butterfly drying its wings right after emerging from its cocoon.
Maria and me on a little overlook of the river.
Me with Esther and Sarah on the overlook.
We saw this butterfly drying its wings right after emerging from its cocoon.
Maria and me on a little overlook of the river.
Me with Esther and Sarah on the overlook.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Ireland
Just a pic of me in Northern Ireland. I had a blast! There are literally thousands of pictures on Facebook and elsewhere. Here's one of me sitting on a rock on a small island after crossing the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge. Absolutely amazing!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Today I attended my little sister's graduation. So far Dad and Mom have 6 down and 1 to go. It's unbelievable! I was thinking how it makes me feel old when I go to the graduation and the graduates look like little kids. Then I thought about the fact that I've been in college for 5 years. 5 years! How in the world? I started out taking it semester at a time and figuring I'd be doing good to last a whole year.
It's amazing how time has flown and how much I have changed. I'm not talking so much about what I look like, though I have gained a few pounds (pure muscle) and lost a few hairs on top of my head. I'm talking about perspective. Time, learning, knowledge, experience, etc. have changed my perspectives on a lot of things. The things that I used to consider to be important are no longer important and vice versa. It's all part of growing up I suppose.
It's amazing how time has flown and how much I have changed. I'm not talking so much about what I look like, though I have gained a few pounds (pure muscle) and lost a few hairs on top of my head. I'm talking about perspective. Time, learning, knowledge, experience, etc. have changed my perspectives on a lot of things. The things that I used to consider to be important are no longer important and vice versa. It's all part of growing up I suppose.
Recently I have realized that the single most important thing in my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ. I have been realizing how defenseless and limited I really am on my own. Not only am I unable to be effective for God in my own strength, but I also am unable to even defend myself against Satan's attacks on my own. I am no match for the power of sin, but my identity with Jesus Christ is more than a match. When Satan has no footholds in my life he has a lot less power. When Christ owns every part of me there is certainly no "hold" of sin any more! That is the power of Christ! That is God's grace in setting me apart entirely to Himself and filling me with the Holy Spirit to live above sin! It is so liberating and exciting to live a completely guilt free life in Jesus Christ!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Surely the End Must be Near
Growing up in a home where Premillenialism was not the accepted escatalogical viewpoint, whenever there was a series of earthquakes, or "wars and rumors of wars" in the Middle East (continual since the Old Testament days) someone would jokingly say, "Surely the end must be near." Now, in these "last days" of my 5th year of Bible College, I can say with the best of them, "Surely the end must be near."
I have reached that point of not really caring. (OK. I admit, this isn't the first time.) Some call it "senioritis," others call it "spring fever," and I choose to call it "End Times." There are wars and rumors of wars inside me about finishing up that one stupid assignment that I put off because it was only worth about 2% or less of my grade. There are great earthquakes as my roommate crashes from his bunk and hits the floor right beside me - getting up for class. Who does that?
Not to mention my weekends (albeit only 2 of them left this semester in which the choir goes out both times). Saturdays used to be "get-r-done" days where I would arise at some ungodly hour like 6:00 or 7:00 a.m. and hit the homework for a few hours, go to breakfast, go to the library and do homework until it closes, go to the snackbar and do homework until suppertime, eat supper, go to Starbucks or somewhere (taking date time) and do more homework until time to return to campus for curfew. All in all my Saturdays could often add up to somewhere in the realm of 10-12 hours of homework. Oh yeah. I said all of that to say that this Saturday homework really isn't all that important. I might get around to spending an hour or two doing homework, but that's only if, by some weird turn of events, I find myself with an overwhelming load of ambition. Not too likely.
Surely the End Must be Near!
I have reached that point of not really caring. (OK. I admit, this isn't the first time.) Some call it "senioritis," others call it "spring fever," and I choose to call it "End Times." There are wars and rumors of wars inside me about finishing up that one stupid assignment that I put off because it was only worth about 2% or less of my grade. There are great earthquakes as my roommate crashes from his bunk and hits the floor right beside me - getting up for class. Who does that?
Not to mention my weekends (albeit only 2 of them left this semester in which the choir goes out both times). Saturdays used to be "get-r-done" days where I would arise at some ungodly hour like 6:00 or 7:00 a.m. and hit the homework for a few hours, go to breakfast, go to the library and do homework until it closes, go to the snackbar and do homework until suppertime, eat supper, go to Starbucks or somewhere (taking date time) and do more homework until time to return to campus for curfew. All in all my Saturdays could often add up to somewhere in the realm of 10-12 hours of homework. Oh yeah. I said all of that to say that this Saturday homework really isn't all that important. I might get around to spending an hour or two doing homework, but that's only if, by some weird turn of events, I find myself with an overwhelming load of ambition. Not too likely.
Surely the End Must be Near!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mexico, aqui vengo!
Tomorrow I turn 23 and the next day I head for Mexico! It's going to be an exciting next several days for me! I am doing exactly what the media is saying not to do - going to Mexico for Spring Break! I can hardly wait! As soon as classes are over on Thursday Maria and I are headed for Mexico! Until then I have to try to force myself to stay focused on classes.
Listo o no, aqui vengo, Mexico! :)
Listo o no, aqui vengo, Mexico! :)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I am a bit behind the times with the whole picture thing, but I know I would get tired of a blog that never had any pictures really fast, so I decided to put one on here. A picture of me and my lovely girlfriend, Maria, from our banquet at school last week.
Unfortunately, that's all for now. I have to get back to life now. Have a great week everyone!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Junior Recital
My Junior Recital is now history! Hallelujah! It is such a relief to have it out of the way. Now I can spend some time catching up on everything else that took second place to my recital (AKA every other class). My goal is to take the next couple weeks to play catch up and then MEXICO, HERE I COME for spring break!!!!!!
I am very excited about flying to Mexico with Maria for Spring Break this year! (I have never been outside the country and this year I get to go to Mexico for Spring Break and then to Ireland for a musical missions trip as soon as school lets out in May!) I am very excited about going with Maria to visit her family in Mexico! It's going to be somewhat of a whirlwind trip, but it should be awesome!
Back down to earth, however... I have a 10-page philosophy paper to write this weekend and present on Monday and some other stuff to get done between now and then. If I think about it too much, I may not be able to focus on the here-and-now.
So here I go back to the evils of research papers, Finale compositions, algebra tests, document processing assignments, outcomes assessment tests, listening assignments (for Music History and Literature), and presentations.
I am very excited about flying to Mexico with Maria for Spring Break this year! (I have never been outside the country and this year I get to go to Mexico for Spring Break and then to Ireland for a musical missions trip as soon as school lets out in May!) I am very excited about going with Maria to visit her family in Mexico! It's going to be somewhat of a whirlwind trip, but it should be awesome!
Back down to earth, however... I have a 10-page philosophy paper to write this weekend and present on Monday and some other stuff to get done between now and then. If I think about it too much, I may not be able to focus on the here-and-now.
So here I go back to the evils of research papers, Finale compositions, algebra tests, document processing assignments, outcomes assessment tests, listening assignments (for Music History and Literature), and presentations.
Monday, February 9, 2009
God's Presence
I'm on this kick of actually posting on my blog right now and I had a couple minutes of free time this morning and not enough time to get into any homework project, but too much time to just waste so I thought I'd share some of what God is doing in my life.
Recently, at Burlington Bible Methodist Church where I attend, Bro. Stetler has been preaching a series about how to have God's presence. I have been trying to put into practice the advice and tips that he has been giving from God's Word on how to have God's presence in every moment of my life. The difference is life-transforming! I have discovered a new joy in my personal prayer time every morning. I have found God in even the little "mundane" activities throughout my day - sitting in classes, working on a plumbing repair, etc.
It's so wonderful to have a God that cares about me every moment of every day! When I give him the "ordinary" moments he makes them special and holy moments that are full of his presence and his peace. Talk about a way to live a peaceful and joyful life! Try inviting God into every moment of your life and see how much of a difference it makes!
Recently, at Burlington Bible Methodist Church where I attend, Bro. Stetler has been preaching a series about how to have God's presence. I have been trying to put into practice the advice and tips that he has been giving from God's Word on how to have God's presence in every moment of my life. The difference is life-transforming! I have discovered a new joy in my personal prayer time every morning. I have found God in even the little "mundane" activities throughout my day - sitting in classes, working on a plumbing repair, etc.
It's so wonderful to have a God that cares about me every moment of every day! When I give him the "ordinary" moments he makes them special and holy moments that are full of his presence and his peace. Talk about a way to live a peaceful and joyful life! Try inviting God into every moment of your life and see how much of a difference it makes!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Homework schmomework!
This weekend, when all my friends are out having fun (the time of their lives I'm sure), I am seated comfortably in front of my computer desk with a cup of Caramel Drizzle coffee doing homework.
Yes. It's Friday night. Yes. I would much rather be out partying and socializing. I would like to say that it's because I'm so mature, dedicated, and diligent. The truth is...Well, you can think that I'm mature, dedicated, and ambitious. I like that better. I'm a week behind! There! I said it! I hope you're not one of those people that reads the small print.
So anyway...back to the homework. Wish me luck! Have a great weekend everyone! Oh yeah. And think of me as I continue steadfast in the way of maturity, dedication and diligence. I can see light at the end of the tunnel! (But what is that whistle that keeps getting louder and louder?)
Yes. It's Friday night. Yes. I would much rather be out partying and socializing. I would like to say that it's because I'm so mature, dedicated, and diligent. The truth is...Well, you can think that I'm mature, dedicated, and ambitious. I like that better. I'm a week behind! There! I said it! I hope you're not one of those people that reads the small print.
So anyway...back to the homework. Wish me luck! Have a great weekend everyone! Oh yeah. And think of me as I continue steadfast in the way of maturity, dedication and diligence. I can see light at the end of the tunnel! (But what is that whistle that keeps getting louder and louder?)
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