As I stated earlier, I came away from my hiking trip with a few thoughts. The primary thing was an awareness of God's goodness, and how often we overlook it, take it for granted, or simply neglect to experience it.
It's hard to look at the beauty and diversity of nature and not become overwhelmed with God's greatness and creativity. As I was hiking and enjoying the weather, the exercise, and the scenery, I realized that I was enjoying God's goodness. He created these things for Himself so that He could share them with us and show His greatness and goodness to us.
Despite some of the situations we have to deal with in life, God is constantly unveiling His goodness to us. A few months ago one of my tires had a blowout on the highway. It was kind of a bummer, but I was able to safely stop the vehicle and put the spare on. Although I wasn't aware of this at the time, God was showing His goodness to me in that moment in that He had provided me with a great father in my life that was able and took the time to teach me how to stop a car with a blowout, how to jack up a car, how to remove a tire, and how to put a new one on.
At work I've been on the same project for a number of months, and sometimes I get rather frustrated with looking at and thinking about the same stuff so much, but this is another opportunity to be aware of His goodness. He has blessed me with a job that I for the most part enjoy, has given me the mental ability and talent to grapple with the issues I have to tackle, and gave me parents that supported me in learning my trade.
Being aware of His goodness is an act of gratitude and worship. We acknowledge His greatness and His goodness and thank Him for what He has and is doing. As I was hiking, I kept thinking to myself, "God, this is good. Thank you." As I was replacing my tire, I should have thought, "God this is good. Thank you." As I continue to focus on my project in the future, I will do my best to remember to tell Him this same thing to try to stay focused on a worship lifestyle.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
An update for the sake of updating
I went hiking today. I took pictures. I put them here. I had some interesting thoughts come out of it. I'll try to expound on them later when I get some more time and crashing into bed is not immediately imminent.
Nitey nite.
Nitey nite.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Looking for hope
Lately I've been thinking that I could use a lot more hope in my life. I'm not very good at it, to be honest. What sparked my interest in hope was a message given by Rick Zachary last year the Sunday after our men's retreat. The primary focus of his message was about developing vision. Hope is a key element to developing vision, yet I am somewhat in the dark about what it actually is and how to acquire it. I Corinthians 13:13 says that the three things we have to make it through life until perfection (Jesus) comes are faith, hope, and love. It seems we hear much less about hope than faith and love, yet if we are to make it through these times, we must be equally educated in and understand all three of these things.
This may not be the case for some people, but I am very intently focused on making the best of my immediate situation. If someone were to ask me what sort of goals I have set for the next six months, year, or five years, I completely draw a blank. I don't think that far ahead. It's very easy for me to expect nothing more out of tomorrow than what I experienced today, and I feel that is a very dangerous place to be in. To experience fuller life, there must be something we can look forward, to feel that we are in some sense progressing in life. Therefore, I for one need to find and implement hope into my life.
As often as I have time I'm going to try to study and write more about what I believe hope to be, how to acquire it, what sort of implications it has on our lives, etc. I hope that someone else gets something out of this as well.
This may not be the case for some people, but I am very intently focused on making the best of my immediate situation. If someone were to ask me what sort of goals I have set for the next six months, year, or five years, I completely draw a blank. I don't think that far ahead. It's very easy for me to expect nothing more out of tomorrow than what I experienced today, and I feel that is a very dangerous place to be in. To experience fuller life, there must be something we can look forward, to feel that we are in some sense progressing in life. Therefore, I for one need to find and implement hope into my life.
As often as I have time I'm going to try to study and write more about what I believe hope to be, how to acquire it, what sort of implications it has on our lives, etc. I hope that someone else gets something out of this as well.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My car is now Zune-compatible
My car came with a factory standard Kenwood stereo. It's pretty decent. I think I'd still prefer a Pioneer, but I'll stick with this for now.
Anyway, it lacks any sort of auxiliary input. Many newer head units have a 1/8" input on the front face of the stereo so that it may receive a sound signal from some sort of external sound source, such as satellite radio. Although it lacks a standard auxiliary input, it does have a CD changer control port on the back. After doing a little research I came to find out that there is an adapter that can be used to convert the CD changer control port to a pair of RCA inputs.
I did some shopping around and found that every place selling this converter wanted $20 minimum for it, not including shipping. I checked ebay and found a sort of knock-off of the original Kenwood adapter selling for $8. I felt I could justify the longer shipping time by saving at least $12, so I purchased it.
The adapter came in the mail today, so after work, church, and all the other stuff I had going on, I started working on the installation. Despite it being my first time to pull the dash off of this car, it pretty much went without issue. All of the snaps connecting the dash to the frame were sturdy, and went back in just like they came out. The most difficult part was removing some of the harnesses connecting the dash controls to the car computer. I had to leave one in because I simply couldn't get it to unplug. I installed the adapter and ran the cable out from beneath the smoking tray. It was a bit of a tight fit but it works and doesn't look bad at all. After I got it all together I fired up the stereo and started blasting some sweet Zune tunes.
I'm never using CDs (audio or MP3) again.
Anyway, it lacks any sort of auxiliary input. Many newer head units have a 1/8" input on the front face of the stereo so that it may receive a sound signal from some sort of external sound source, such as satellite radio. Although it lacks a standard auxiliary input, it does have a CD changer control port on the back. After doing a little research I came to find out that there is an adapter that can be used to convert the CD changer control port to a pair of RCA inputs.
I did some shopping around and found that every place selling this converter wanted $20 minimum for it, not including shipping. I checked ebay and found a sort of knock-off of the original Kenwood adapter selling for $8. I felt I could justify the longer shipping time by saving at least $12, so I purchased it.
The adapter came in the mail today, so after work, church, and all the other stuff I had going on, I started working on the installation. Despite it being my first time to pull the dash off of this car, it pretty much went without issue. All of the snaps connecting the dash to the frame were sturdy, and went back in just like they came out. The most difficult part was removing some of the harnesses connecting the dash controls to the car computer. I had to leave one in because I simply couldn't get it to unplug. I installed the adapter and ran the cable out from beneath the smoking tray. It was a bit of a tight fit but it works and doesn't look bad at all. After I got it all together I fired up the stereo and started blasting some sweet Zune tunes.
I'm never using CDs (audio or MP3) again.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Another Monday
So I almost cut my thumb off while cutting up onions to make spaghetti. Thankfully my knife is so dull that it did little more than scratch it.
I was listening to the Imago Dei Community podcast while at work today, and Rick told a story about a friend of his that put an interesting perspective on things. I can only paraphrase it so bear with me. He had a friend named Shane that was involved in some sort of accident or something and ended up receiving a settlement of $10,000. Instead of keeping this money, he sent 100 $100 bills out to different churches throughout the area, with an accompanying letter requesting that the money be used to minister to someone that needed it, whether through help in hard financial times, buying someone food, clothes, etc. Rick received one of these $100 bills and spent a while thinking about how it could best be used to take care of someone.
At one point, he was at a grocery store and had to either go to an ATM and get some cash to pay for his groceries, or simply spend the $100 bill and replace it later on. He said that he could not bring himself to spend it, however, for across the front of the money the word "LOVE" was written. It had a special purpose that was not to be compromised.
He then went on to ask, what if every dollar in your wallet had "LOVE" written across it? What if it was printed boldly on your car? On your house? Everything that we have God has given to us to take care of other people. It has a special purpose that is not to be compromised. He then said, "God does not need collectors in His kingdom," which is essentially what our society is founded upon.
Again, I am in awe of what great surrender following Christ requires. It's hard for us to wrap our heads around things like this, and verses like I Cor 6:19-20 - You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. It almost seems too hard for us to deny ourselves to that extent, but we have to keep in mind that God painted "LOVE" across Jesus and willingly gave Him up for us. Despite the pain Jesus knew he would have to endure, he did not compromise. It is the least we can do to follow His uncompromising example and see everything in our possession, even our own lives, with love written across it.
I was listening to the Imago Dei Community podcast while at work today, and Rick told a story about a friend of his that put an interesting perspective on things. I can only paraphrase it so bear with me. He had a friend named Shane that was involved in some sort of accident or something and ended up receiving a settlement of $10,000. Instead of keeping this money, he sent 100 $100 bills out to different churches throughout the area, with an accompanying letter requesting that the money be used to minister to someone that needed it, whether through help in hard financial times, buying someone food, clothes, etc. Rick received one of these $100 bills and spent a while thinking about how it could best be used to take care of someone.
At one point, he was at a grocery store and had to either go to an ATM and get some cash to pay for his groceries, or simply spend the $100 bill and replace it later on. He said that he could not bring himself to spend it, however, for across the front of the money the word "LOVE" was written. It had a special purpose that was not to be compromised.
He then went on to ask, what if every dollar in your wallet had "LOVE" written across it? What if it was printed boldly on your car? On your house? Everything that we have God has given to us to take care of other people. It has a special purpose that is not to be compromised. He then said, "God does not need collectors in His kingdom," which is essentially what our society is founded upon.
Again, I am in awe of what great surrender following Christ requires. It's hard for us to wrap our heads around things like this, and verses like I Cor 6:19-20 - You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. It almost seems too hard for us to deny ourselves to that extent, but we have to keep in mind that God painted "LOVE" across Jesus and willingly gave Him up for us. Despite the pain Jesus knew he would have to endure, he did not compromise. It is the least we can do to follow His uncompromising example and see everything in our possession, even our own lives, with love written across it.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday Sunday Sunday
Good Sunday today. Had a few hiccups in the worship this morning but overall it went well. Casey went over a much needed lesson this morning and expounded on the three Rs of Christianity: Relationship, relationship, relationship. I can't get that through my thick head enough.
(Casey didn't phrase it as three Rs, by the way, that's just how I took it.)
Youth went well also. Worship was better than usual, probably because Ray, Josh and I spent quite a bit of time going over the songs multiple times and solidifying the progressions. I think Ray and Josh will be out of town next weekend, so it will probably just be Jason and I. Can anyone say "acoustic set?" Woot.
Brock had a good message that played off of the catch phrase regarding "addressing the elephant in the room". He talked about confronting the issues in life that we don't want to or that are hard to address. By some strange coincidence I happened to wear a shirt that had an elephant on it that I got from my brother a while back. Weird.
Weekly routine starts tomorrow. I'll be glad when this month is over, because then I'll start to get out and actually do stuff. Here's my list:
- Visiting my brother - May 31 - June 8
I purchased some plane tickets tonight to go visit my brother in New York. I'm going to be gone from work for an entire week and will miss two Sundays of church, which kind of stinks, but I have not seen my brother or been out of the state in a VERY long time. As an added bonus, my parents will be there as well. We'll all get to be together again, which I must admit gets me kind of teary. We haven't been together as a family since Thanksgiving last year.
- Going to my friend Matt's wedding - June 27 - 29
My friend Matt is getting married in Memphis. I'm gonna be a groomsman.
- Independence Day - July 3 - 7 (?)
I'm going to work through Memorial day and probably work on a Saturday to get an extra day off, for a total of three days of vacation. Will visit parents and try to get together with some friends.
- Portland, OR trip - August?
I still want to visit Imago Dei Community in Portland. I still feel kind of drawn there. I don't know if something is in store for me there or not, but it wouldn't hurt to go just for the experience.
(Casey didn't phrase it as three Rs, by the way, that's just how I took it.)
Youth went well also. Worship was better than usual, probably because Ray, Josh and I spent quite a bit of time going over the songs multiple times and solidifying the progressions. I think Ray and Josh will be out of town next weekend, so it will probably just be Jason and I. Can anyone say "acoustic set?" Woot.
Brock had a good message that played off of the catch phrase regarding "addressing the elephant in the room". He talked about confronting the issues in life that we don't want to or that are hard to address. By some strange coincidence I happened to wear a shirt that had an elephant on it that I got from my brother a while back. Weird.
Weekly routine starts tomorrow. I'll be glad when this month is over, because then I'll start to get out and actually do stuff. Here's my list:
- Visiting my brother - May 31 - June 8
I purchased some plane tickets tonight to go visit my brother in New York. I'm going to be gone from work for an entire week and will miss two Sundays of church, which kind of stinks, but I have not seen my brother or been out of the state in a VERY long time. As an added bonus, my parents will be there as well. We'll all get to be together again, which I must admit gets me kind of teary. We haven't been together as a family since Thanksgiving last year.
- Going to my friend Matt's wedding - June 27 - 29
My friend Matt is getting married in Memphis. I'm gonna be a groomsman.
- Independence Day - July 3 - 7 (?)
I'm going to work through Memorial day and probably work on a Saturday to get an extra day off, for a total of three days of vacation. Will visit parents and try to get together with some friends.
- Portland, OR trip - August?
I still want to visit Imago Dei Community in Portland. I still feel kind of drawn there. I don't know if something is in store for me there or not, but it wouldn't hurt to go just for the experience.
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