It's an old belief in sports as well as other things that after having a great first year, your second year usually doesn't go so well. You think that you've made all the right adjustments in your first year and get complacent. Then, before you know it, you have hit rock bottom and are in a worse position than you were whenever you started from the beginning. It happens sometimes, but not always. And thankful, it didn't happen to me during my sophomore year of college.
Is that to say I didn't have any bad times this year at college? Of course not. Many times I found myself searching for answers and trying to figure out who I was and what I was supposed to do. But I think that I was able to avoid a big slump because of some of the changes I made to my attitude towards things and also by making sure to look for the answers I was needing, and not just simply wanting them to fall in my lap. So what did I learn my sophomore year? A LOT!
Firstly, I learned a lot about myself and the changes that I had made over the years. I realized I no longer was a person who showed little emotion, but however I was now someone who would cry at so many things, whether happy or sad, and could really emphasize better with the people around me. I learned that I had gone from a person who was content with just knowing God was there, to a person who sought to see him in my every day life and longed to talk to him throughout my day. I also realized that I could accept myself for who I was now, no longer striving to obtain the skills of those around me, but developing my own that God had given me so that I could be fruitful. Finally, I learned to share my thoughts and feelings with others, allowing me to find help from those around me, but also help some of them as well.
In addition, this year I learned that I would not be where I am today without those people around me. My parents who always provide me with so much love and care. My campus ministry who gives me opportunities to grow in my faith. The new freshmen who helped me to come out of my shell more and have fun. The sophomore guys who show me great examples of leadership. The junior girls who were always there for me when I needed comfort or to cry. The senior guys and girls who showed me great examples in their love and their devotion. The RFC group is something that has become such a big part of my life that I couldn't even imagine where I would be without it, and I thank God for the people who are a part of it.
So where does that leave us? I've successful made it halfway through my college experience and cannot wait to start the next half this fall. However, first I have to make it through this busy, but sure to be amazing, summer. From Chicago, to Lubbock, to St. Louis, to Europe, this summer is sure to be one full of adventure and fun. I will try to keep this updated from trip to trip, but it probably won't get updated til I go back to school. So for now, I just want to tell anyone who is reading this thanks for being a part of my life, and I hope that my life is a positive impact on yours. Also, keep smiling!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
To whom shall we go?
All my life I feel like I've been trying to find answers. Answers to my purpose, to where I'm supposed to go, to what I'm supposed to do, who I'm supposed to talk to or be with. I've looked for answers in my parents, my friends, my preacher, and others around me. I thought I had looked for them in the word, but as I have found out during this past year, I don't think I ever truly did. I would think that God was just supposed to come out and slap me in the face or yell at me, and when he didn't I would just give up on him. However, I truly think that this past year has made me not only begin to search out answers in his word, but also understand them and my relationship with God in a whole new light, and I am so thankful for that.
In John 6: 68-69, Peter says to Jesus after he asks the twelve if the will leave him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Peter knew that all of the things of this life will fade, but our belief in God and relationship with him is something that will never cease. People nowadays try to find comfort and solace in their jobs, relationships, wealth, or any other numerous things that in the end will mean utterly nothing. I read Peter's question and realize it is one that I have asked numerous times, but never had the answer he did, or at least until these past couple years. Now, it's so amazing to me how I couldn't ever see that God was there all along.
Our God is an awesome God. He continually surprises me with the things he blesses me with in this life that I know I don't deserve at all. He has given me a wonderful place to worship in the RFC ministry. He has given me so many good friends who care for me and love me so much I can't even begin to think about it sometimes because I don't understand it. He does so many little things for me, like giving me time alone like tonight when I know I need it, or choosing to not give me time alone when I want it because it's much better for me if I talk it out. He is always there to listen to me even if no one else is around. He love is unconditional and amazing. Words can't even begin to describe what he has done for me in my life and how awesome he is.
Ephesians 3:18-19, Paul prays for the Ephesians that they may "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge..." The love God has for us is truly something we cannot comprehend. The fact that we can fail so many times and yet he still pours out his grace and mercy for us is just so amazing. Half the time I can't even being to think why some people in this life care for me like they do, let alone God. But I do know this, that God, as it says in Revelation 22:13, is "the Alpha and the Omega." He is everything that this world has to offer and everything I will ever need. And that, my friends, is something that fills my heart with joy and puts a smile on my face.
In John 6: 68-69, Peter says to Jesus after he asks the twelve if the will leave him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Peter knew that all of the things of this life will fade, but our belief in God and relationship with him is something that will never cease. People nowadays try to find comfort and solace in their jobs, relationships, wealth, or any other numerous things that in the end will mean utterly nothing. I read Peter's question and realize it is one that I have asked numerous times, but never had the answer he did, or at least until these past couple years. Now, it's so amazing to me how I couldn't ever see that God was there all along.
Our God is an awesome God. He continually surprises me with the things he blesses me with in this life that I know I don't deserve at all. He has given me a wonderful place to worship in the RFC ministry. He has given me so many good friends who care for me and love me so much I can't even begin to think about it sometimes because I don't understand it. He does so many little things for me, like giving me time alone like tonight when I know I need it, or choosing to not give me time alone when I want it because it's much better for me if I talk it out. He is always there to listen to me even if no one else is around. He love is unconditional and amazing. Words can't even begin to describe what he has done for me in my life and how awesome he is.
Ephesians 3:18-19, Paul prays for the Ephesians that they may "grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge..." The love God has for us is truly something we cannot comprehend. The fact that we can fail so many times and yet he still pours out his grace and mercy for us is just so amazing. Half the time I can't even being to think why some people in this life care for me like they do, let alone God. But I do know this, that God, as it says in Revelation 22:13, is "the Alpha and the Omega." He is everything that this world has to offer and everything I will ever need. And that, my friends, is something that fills my heart with joy and puts a smile on my face.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
The Lord has a will.
There is a phrase I've been hearing a lot more, or at least noticing people saying it more, recently and it has started to really get me thinking. That phrase usually goes something like "Do you think God has a sense of humor?" or "God has a funny way of doing things". Not a very complex question, but one I'm sure that all of us have said or thought at some time in our lives. However, recently I've began to think about this idea in a new light, and realize when people say this, its actually their thinking that's doing funny things.
Ephesians 5:17 says "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is". Now, the Lord's specific will for each one of us is not something we can go find on a bookshelf, but a baseline of it can of course. I'm talking about the bible of course. By reading the word and seeking to follow the lessons of Jesus and his disciples, we can begin to take the necessary steps down the path God has set for us since before we were born. But it's when we get down to the specifics that we begin to question what God has in store for us.
In a previous blog, I shared the story of the death of my grandma. She was such a loving and devoted christian and a wonderful example to me. My grandpa was not a christian while my grandma was alive, even though she tried very hard to get him to come to church and learn about God. After her death, my grandpa finally started coming to church and is now a strong christian. While I wish that it could have happened another way, I think that the death of my grandma was necessary for my grandpa to become a christian. God knew this, just as he knows what we all need as it says in Matthew 6:8, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.", and while I might not have understood why it happened at the time, he knew why it was necessary.
While in the garden of Gethsemane right before his crucifixion, Jesus prays in Matthew 26:39, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus knew that even if he thought there had to be another way for our salvation to be obtained, he still had to follow God's will. For God's will is something that may not make sense to us all the time, but it makes sense to him, and that's all that should matter. So from now on, I will always try to remember that it is not God's thinking that is funny, but it is actually mine because it's not my place to decide what should happen in my life, but his. However, if I can hope for one thing, it's that why I am following the Lord's will, I will have a smile on my face.
Matthew 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Ephesians 5:17 says "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is". Now, the Lord's specific will for each one of us is not something we can go find on a bookshelf, but a baseline of it can of course. I'm talking about the bible of course. By reading the word and seeking to follow the lessons of Jesus and his disciples, we can begin to take the necessary steps down the path God has set for us since before we were born. But it's when we get down to the specifics that we begin to question what God has in store for us.
In a previous blog, I shared the story of the death of my grandma. She was such a loving and devoted christian and a wonderful example to me. My grandpa was not a christian while my grandma was alive, even though she tried very hard to get him to come to church and learn about God. After her death, my grandpa finally started coming to church and is now a strong christian. While I wish that it could have happened another way, I think that the death of my grandma was necessary for my grandpa to become a christian. God knew this, just as he knows what we all need as it says in Matthew 6:8, "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.", and while I might not have understood why it happened at the time, he knew why it was necessary.
While in the garden of Gethsemane right before his crucifixion, Jesus prays in Matthew 26:39, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus knew that even if he thought there had to be another way for our salvation to be obtained, he still had to follow God's will. For God's will is something that may not make sense to us all the time, but it makes sense to him, and that's all that should matter. So from now on, I will always try to remember that it is not God's thinking that is funny, but it is actually mine because it's not my place to decide what should happen in my life, but his. However, if I can hope for one thing, it's that why I am following the Lord's will, I will have a smile on my face.
Matthew 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Sunday, January 20, 2013
"Overflow with hope"
So my 4th semester of college has started and so I hope this semester I can do a better job at keeping up with this blog. Quite a bit of stuff has happened since I last blogged, but I don't think any of it is super important to write about it. Well, except for the lovely weekend I had in Searcy, Arkansas! So, I guess that is what I will start with.
So during the first weekend of the new year, two of my wonderful friends got married! The ceremony was on Saturday, but I decided to go to Searcy on Friday in order to hang out with the 2 grad student RFC's that had graduated last year and also some of the other RFC's that I had not seen all break. The day was absolutely wonderful. First, me and the two graduates went to eat at IHOP(where I am or may not have sneakily paid for them while they were talking) and then we went over to the house they were going to stay in that had belonged to one of their grandparents. We proceeded to just sit around and talk and also got a bonfire started. Some more of the current RFC's came out later and we sat around the fire for a couple hours. After that, some of the group left while me and the others decided to all go and sleep at one of the RFC's house that was in town. Now, since I was the only guy I of course slept in a different room from them, but we still got the chance to just sit around a talk til about one or two in the morning. The next morning I decided to wake up a bit earlier than the others to go outside an read for a bit. I caught one of them leaving (I'm going to call her S since she will be mentioned later and is super silly :p) and then she gave me a late Christmas gift which was a super nice notebook that I love! Me and the two graduates proceeded to then go back to the other house and get ready for the wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and I could not be happier for both of them. They also plan to go to China for a year after this semester to teach English and also God's word, which is amazing and I look up to them so much for choosing to try to do that. All in all, that weekend was definitely a great way to start the year.
After the wedding I had a week of relaxation before heading back to school. I went back with my family on the Saturday before school started and watched a basketball game with them. After the game I was able to hang out with S at the RFC house and have one of our many wonderful conversations we have already had this semester! The next day I went to church and dinner with my family and then they left. After lunch, I was able to hang out with S again as we went to the book store and also helped clean up around the RFC house. That night I also got to go out to eat with a lot of other RFC's and catch up with them on how their break had been.
The next day was when school started of course. I have 17 hours this semester so a good load, but shouldn't be too hard as long as I keep up with things. Since it was the first week and no one really had a lot of homework yet, we spent many a nights staying up late and playing polish or watching movies or just talking. The week seemed to go by pretty fast and by the time I knew it Saturday had arrived. Saturday was a very busy, but very fun day. I started by getting up a little early and going to Academy with S's boyfriend who is also one of my best friend's ever! He also got her some flowers, so I figured I would post it since he probably won't read this and he doesn't like people to know he can be sweet haha. I then proceeded to go over to another RFC's apartment and watch the Hog basketball game. We decided there that the weather was to nice to not go outside so we got a group of RFCs to play ultimate! After that we went and ate dinner together and played Catan. That brings us to today, Sunday, which was just a very nice lazy day.
So, I guess that about all it for now. Oh, and also I figure I should explain the title of my post. The quote come from Romans 15: 13 which says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." I've always loved the verses in the bible that talk about being filled with joy, but this verse was one that really interested me. The whole idea that as you are filled with this joy and peace you are also filled with hope in God so much until it overflows is something has really been on my heart this semester already as I try to grow my faith and also work on being able to find peace, so I just thought this verse was very fitting. Also, being filled with joy is something I always strive to find, because it is something that keeps me smiling.
So during the first weekend of the new year, two of my wonderful friends got married! The ceremony was on Saturday, but I decided to go to Searcy on Friday in order to hang out with the 2 grad student RFC's that had graduated last year and also some of the other RFC's that I had not seen all break. The day was absolutely wonderful. First, me and the two graduates went to eat at IHOP(where I am or may not have sneakily paid for them while they were talking) and then we went over to the house they were going to stay in that had belonged to one of their grandparents. We proceeded to just sit around and talk and also got a bonfire started. Some more of the current RFC's came out later and we sat around the fire for a couple hours. After that, some of the group left while me and the others decided to all go and sleep at one of the RFC's house that was in town. Now, since I was the only guy I of course slept in a different room from them, but we still got the chance to just sit around a talk til about one or two in the morning. The next morning I decided to wake up a bit earlier than the others to go outside an read for a bit. I caught one of them leaving (I'm going to call her S since she will be mentioned later and is super silly :p) and then she gave me a late Christmas gift which was a super nice notebook that I love! Me and the two graduates proceeded to then go back to the other house and get ready for the wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and I could not be happier for both of them. They also plan to go to China for a year after this semester to teach English and also God's word, which is amazing and I look up to them so much for choosing to try to do that. All in all, that weekend was definitely a great way to start the year.
After the wedding I had a week of relaxation before heading back to school. I went back with my family on the Saturday before school started and watched a basketball game with them. After the game I was able to hang out with S at the RFC house and have one of our many wonderful conversations we have already had this semester! The next day I went to church and dinner with my family and then they left. After lunch, I was able to hang out with S again as we went to the book store and also helped clean up around the RFC house. That night I also got to go out to eat with a lot of other RFC's and catch up with them on how their break had been.
The next day was when school started of course. I have 17 hours this semester so a good load, but shouldn't be too hard as long as I keep up with things. Since it was the first week and no one really had a lot of homework yet, we spent many a nights staying up late and playing polish or watching movies or just talking. The week seemed to go by pretty fast and by the time I knew it Saturday had arrived. Saturday was a very busy, but very fun day. I started by getting up a little early and going to Academy with S's boyfriend who is also one of my best friend's ever! He also got her some flowers, so I figured I would post it since he probably won't read this and he doesn't like people to know he can be sweet haha. I then proceeded to go over to another RFC's apartment and watch the Hog basketball game. We decided there that the weather was to nice to not go outside so we got a group of RFCs to play ultimate! After that we went and ate dinner together and played Catan. That brings us to today, Sunday, which was just a very nice lazy day.
So, I guess that about all it for now. Oh, and also I figure I should explain the title of my post. The quote come from Romans 15: 13 which says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." I've always loved the verses in the bible that talk about being filled with joy, but this verse was one that really interested me. The whole idea that as you are filled with this joy and peace you are also filled with hope in God so much until it overflows is something has really been on my heart this semester already as I try to grow my faith and also work on being able to find peace, so I just thought this verse was very fitting. Also, being filled with joy is something I always strive to find, because it is something that keeps me smiling.
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