Adventure

This weekend we had our annual winter Navs retreat. We talk about the Navs calling and pair up with a spiritual buddy for the weekend who is usually in your small group of a different graduating class. We share our testimony with our buddy, have time for discussion of Bible passages, and time for prayer.

We had a special session that taught us about listening to God, mostly for the sake of others as to do intercessory prayer. During a time of meditation, you ask a question like, "God, how do you see this person?" or "What do you want this person to know?" It was remarkable to see how people would receive messages from God in the form of images, scenes, sounds, words, or a voice. Some people didn't hear anything at times, which is okay. The exercises were a way to show us the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus gives his disciples in Acts 1:8.

The best decision that I made this quarter was jumping back into a small group. Fall quarter was overwhelming and taking Tuesday nights off for sanity purposes and RallyCats stuff was something that I wanted. Even though I have meetings every evening of the week again, the spiritual benefits of surrounding myself with loving, beautiful, brilliant, and hysterical girls for a few hours has meant so much. It has made me see how much they have to teach me and how much I have to offer as a result of my spiritual growth and personal maturity. I see how my sense of purpose and overall attitude towards life has improved. For a take on the opposite, 1 Corinthians 15:33 talks about the influence of a negative atmosphere, as does Proverbs 13:20. I've gotten a glimpse of my value and worth in so many ways by being around these girls. They have a special place in my heart, especially after this weekend.

For the last 4 years, Key Laborers has been an opportunity for me to re-establish a purpose for my life. The outlook of Navs is one that fits with my personality and capabilities. I relate with the ideas about spiritual generations, mentoring, being an insider and an along-sider, and living among the lost. Whenever life is hard or seems pointless, I come back to these ideas and understand how big of an adventure my life is.

Who said the Christian life has to be boring and all about rules? What could be more exciting than taking part in a journey led by the Lord of the universe?

Not Even Close

I've realized I may come off as thinking that I know how everything works and that I don't struggle with things. Truth: I'm not even close to that. I've chosen to use this blog as a way to outline the ideas that I find inspiring and concepts that have taken me years to grasp. I'm trying to focus on the positives and how I can move forward in life instead of making excuses for myself or being a pessimist. So, I hope you find some ideas on here inspiring as well and know that they've been given to me out of the grace of God.

To be honest and vulnerable, I've struggled with my priorities lately. There are so many things that I have loved doing at school, but now there are new opportunities appearing on the horizon. I'm having a hard time with an honest evaluation of what I want to include in my time here, because I'm finding that formerly important things are now being put on the backburner. Only having 2 full quarters left of school, I want to spend my time on things that are worth it. And unfortunately, some things in my life are not anymore.

Contentment

Having discontent in any part of your life can be a good or bad thing. Good: It can be the driving force of change, leading you to finding who you want to be. Bad: It can drive you into the ground spiritually and emotionally.

Having been at both ends of the spectrum, I understand how not loving yourself, lacking humility, and not giving thanks for life is detrimental to others, yourself, and your relationship with God. Letting things go allows contentment to step in, when control is lost and acceptance takes its place.

Disappointment

A few things were hard about this weekend. First off, it seemed as if some hard core things happened to people around me: death of a pet, breakup, Grandma in the hospital. I can't understand the loss of a pet because I've never really experienced that not having a personal pet. It's hard for me when the breakup is hours from me and I can't be there to comfort her. No one can get underneath a guy's thought process or reasons for backing out, but I can recognize that some guys have the ability to love and follow through with their intentions and others don't. There is disappointment there, that someone can say and do so many wonderful things, but is unable to consider the other person while sorting through a rough time.

My personal disappointment this weekend comes from some friends. I'm not upset and won't hold a grudge, but having people over this weekend could have looked a lot differently. It's one thing to hang out and have drinks, maybe getting a little drunk over the course of the night. But to show up already in that state, forcing the sober people to then watch over you or to leave early is a bummer. It wasn't just a random party. It was a birthday party, meant for showing the host that you like being their friend and want to say hey. The party wasn't about me hearing how much people love me, but it also shouldn't have been like any other parties that go on every weekend.

I was hoping it'd be a nice break for people to refrain from that. I thought it'd be nice to take it easy and those people who did seemed to have a better time. Hanging out at my house isn't tailored for crazy parties, it's a perfect atmosphere for relaxing and relating with people. It's like that even when it's just my roommates. Not even for hanging out with new people, but those people you hang out with all the time anyway. I believe you don't need to be intoxicated to have fun. I find it hard to believe that some people think that's even possible at this point. I'm not trying to judge here because I received apologies, but the general idea of good clean fun seems to be unattainable sometimes in this world.

A True Example

I visited my friend who is in a center after a severe car accident. He is paralyzed from the neck down, although he did move his shoulders! He is on a ventilator to train him to breathe on his own, but he is communicating by mouthing words and can talk when not on the ventilator. He is stuck in that bed, but has so many beautiful things covering the walls, mostly UC related. He cannot go somewhere to see his friends, but people are there every single day talking with him and watching UC basketball on TV. The basketball team visited him, he has signed stuff everywhere, and there are inspirational messages surrounding him on t-shirts, banners, and photographs, including a cardboard cut-out of him that some friends took to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

He is smiling, inquiring about our lives, and after I told him that everyone misses and loves him so much, he said he feels the same way for us.

Even in a situation like this, when so many things have to be frustrating, there is so much hope. He looks great, appreciates everything that he has, and hasn't once given up. Because when you're in a situation like this, you have to hold dear to what you have instead of longing for what you don't. To value simply being alive and to have the love of parents and friends is so important here, and for the rest of us. It was a sobering reminder to take nothing for granted.

A true example of Perseverance developing Character, leading to undying Hope.

Romans 3:24

Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself.

A pure gift.

He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.

And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

Every time I slip up and my self-criticism and low self-esteem convince me I'm worthless, I remember I am restored, loved, and justified.

transformation

3 steps to Transformation:

1. Have a vision for yourself or a dream of something better. Find your potential.

2. Have intention. Decide to do something about it.

3. Figure out the means to accomplish your goals, to attain the change you want in your life.

Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Forgiveness

Reconciliation

Discipline

Transformation