has been fairly neglected. For a really long time. Like, really. Over a year ago, really. So much that I've had time to get engaged, graduate, get married, start a new (adult type) job, move into a new place, get a dog, get rid of that dog, and then get that dog back again.
It's been a really busy year. Like, really.
And I am so thankful for all of it. I'd like to continue writing, though I suppose we'll have to see how much time I'll be able to devote to this. Turns out, no matter how busy I thought I might have been as a full-time student actively involved in a ministry and working part-time, it doesn't compare to now. Now I spend 8-9 hours of every weekday working at my new job (Springleaf Financial - Financial Representative), generally followed by some previously scheduled activity (date night, ministry, hanging out with Tevren).
And still, I love my life. I love my wife. With her I can get through all of life's strife. Lame rhyming aside, it's been an incredible 3.5 months. Reading my Blogger profile I think to myself, "What the devil was I thinking when I wrote this? Did I really think it was cool to call myself a bamf???"
So much has changed within the past three years. I feel like if you were to make a graph of "progression" in life, it would look something like a cubic root graph (translated slightly to the right and up), with the y-axis being the "level of progression" and the x-axis being time. The slope, then, at any given point would be the rate of change in your life. Only, on this graph, that weird part in the middle where it goes vertical marks the first 18-24 years of your life. After that, you fall into your career or your family or what have you.
You know what? I'm doubting the quality of this mathematical metaphor, so, I'm bailing halfway through. If you can think of a graph that fits life better, I'd love to hear it. For now, my lunch hour is just about over, so it's back to work for me. Stay frosty.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 13, 2010
I was
listening to a podcast my friend Isaac sent me that was conducted a few years ago. It was an interview with Shane Claiborne, author of Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President and one of the figureheads for the New Monastic Movement. At one point during the interview, he talks about walking through the neighborhood one day with his friend, Kazim (sp?), when they got jumped. The people were ready for a fight and were looking to get into it. They simply introduced themselves and kept on walking. Kazim was then hit on the head with a club. Shane initial thought is something along the lines of "Come on, God, why? We tried to do the right thing!" He then turns around, faces their attackers and says:
"You guys are created in the image of God and you're made for something better than this."
Freshman year of high school I took a health class. I learned about adrenaline and how, once it starts flowing, you're faced with the Fight or Flight instinct. You either confront the danger or flee from it. These two options have, in my mind, been the two universally accepted options when approached by a threat (or really any high stress situation) for the longest time. Somehow, Shane Claiborne was approached by a threat, considered the two options, then thought, "You know, I don't like either of those. Let me throw my option into the mix; throw God's option into the mix." Shane continues to say that the guys were absolutely floored; they had no idea how to respond. So they took off running in every which way. Kazim's first response was "Where did that come from?!"
Last year, Ryan gave a sermon on the subject of homosexuality. I came to church that Sunday with the expectation of hearing why it was or was not wrong, all sorts of scripture references arguing the case, exceptions to rules, etc. Instead, Ryan talked about how Jesus, presented with two options, A or B, chose a third option, C. And this is something that only happened once. There are several cases where the pharisees try to trap Jesus into upsetting either the Roman authorities or the people around him. But Jesus chooses neither of these and "elevates the conversation" and answers a more important issue.
Person trying to get a Christian in trouble: "Is homosexuality right or wrong?"
Smart person addressing the larger issue: "Does it matter? We should love everyone and treat them with the kindness, mercy, and grace that Jesus has given/shown us."
No matter what, Jesus loved everyone. This did not mean he never got mad. But he was incredibly slow to anger, carefully considered the situations, and responded with love to everything. Only when people were directly disrespecting God did he actually get mad (i.e. flipping tables in the temple). In that instance, people had completely perverted the purpose of the temple and the offerings and simply saw it as a way to make some easy money. What was supposed to be a place of worship had become a place of profit and monopoly.
So now what? Well, I'm not very good with conclusions so I don't exactly know. Maybe if I had a little bit more time. Don't be judgmental. To anyone. Extend grace. Be patient. Have compassion.
Love everyone.
"You guys are created in the image of God and you're made for something better than this."
Freshman year of high school I took a health class. I learned about adrenaline and how, once it starts flowing, you're faced with the Fight or Flight instinct. You either confront the danger or flee from it. These two options have, in my mind, been the two universally accepted options when approached by a threat (or really any high stress situation) for the longest time. Somehow, Shane Claiborne was approached by a threat, considered the two options, then thought, "You know, I don't like either of those. Let me throw my option into the mix; throw God's option into the mix." Shane continues to say that the guys were absolutely floored; they had no idea how to respond. So they took off running in every which way. Kazim's first response was "Where did that come from?!"
Last year, Ryan gave a sermon on the subject of homosexuality. I came to church that Sunday with the expectation of hearing why it was or was not wrong, all sorts of scripture references arguing the case, exceptions to rules, etc. Instead, Ryan talked about how Jesus, presented with two options, A or B, chose a third option, C. And this is something that only happened once. There are several cases where the pharisees try to trap Jesus into upsetting either the Roman authorities or the people around him. But Jesus chooses neither of these and "elevates the conversation" and answers a more important issue.
Person trying to get a Christian in trouble: "Is homosexuality right or wrong?"
Smart person addressing the larger issue: "Does it matter? We should love everyone and treat them with the kindness, mercy, and grace that Jesus has given/shown us."
No matter what, Jesus loved everyone. This did not mean he never got mad. But he was incredibly slow to anger, carefully considered the situations, and responded with love to everything. Only when people were directly disrespecting God did he actually get mad (i.e. flipping tables in the temple). In that instance, people had completely perverted the purpose of the temple and the offerings and simply saw it as a way to make some easy money. What was supposed to be a place of worship had become a place of profit and monopoly.
So now what? Well, I'm not very good with conclusions so I don't exactly know. Maybe if I had a little bit more time. Don't be judgmental. To anyone. Extend grace. Be patient. Have compassion.
Love everyone.
Friday, September 10, 2010
My last
post was April 24th. Four months and some amount of days ago (I want to say 16, but don't know if I account for the months that have 31 days) (I think you only account for that if, when you start counting days, any months involved have 31 days) (I digress). Today is the last day of the third week of school. How are things going thus far?
Well, I've kept up with all my homework and been to all my classes. So already, things have massively improved academically since last year. I've submitted the first part of my application with Missions Door and plan on beginning support raising within the next few weeks. I have a fairly jam-packed schedule due to school, being on staff with Damascus Road, and working the two days a week I am able to. Familial relations have kind of taken a back seat, I'm a little sad to say. But I hope they understand. We have a new manager at Big 5 who is pretty intense but seems like she will actually get people to do their work, which will be a pleasant change. Oh, and I plan on getting married within the next year.
I've done a lot of thinking the past few weeks and I hope to find time to write about about these things. I even have a note on my phone dedicated to topics I want to address. There is rarely any downtime, though. This isn't a complaint, however. I enjoy the busy-ness (business? busyness? Google Chrome says the latter-most is correct) and keeping occupied. Do I wish I had more time in the day? Sometimes. But I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing about my life right now. There are very few, if any, days where I say to myself, "You know, I wish I had done more. I wish today could've been a better day."
Why the sudden changed outlook on life? Well, although I don't have a lot of my future figured out, I feel very confident of being in the right place right now. I feel where I'm at and what I'm doing are the places/things God wants me to be/do. A recent search has shown to me that I haven't mentioned God in any posts. Perhaps that is the reason for the contentment, the stillness, the peace. God. A quick review of my posts indicates to me that this post is radically different from the others. No philosophy. No late night thoughts. Just saying how fulfilled I feel with the work I am doing with the people I am with.
This post is an anomaly, but one filled with pride. Not an exclusionary pride. I don't want to keep this to myself. I wish everyone felt this way. I wish everyone could feel what they were doing was worthwhile and what they were supposed to be doing. I know that after college this feeling may be hard to come by, seeing as how I'll actually have to decide what it is I think God has planned for me. But with the people I love here with me, I'm confident things will work out.
I suppose the danger with my current state is to become stagnant (which I addressed in an earlier post). Don't become complacent, David. Always strive for growth. Always strive for more. Get smarter. Grow more. Become better.
I love all of you.
More posts to come.
Well, I've kept up with all my homework and been to all my classes. So already, things have massively improved academically since last year. I've submitted the first part of my application with Missions Door and plan on beginning support raising within the next few weeks. I have a fairly jam-packed schedule due to school, being on staff with Damascus Road, and working the two days a week I am able to. Familial relations have kind of taken a back seat, I'm a little sad to say. But I hope they understand. We have a new manager at Big 5 who is pretty intense but seems like she will actually get people to do their work, which will be a pleasant change. Oh, and I plan on getting married within the next year.
I've done a lot of thinking the past few weeks and I hope to find time to write about about these things. I even have a note on my phone dedicated to topics I want to address. There is rarely any downtime, though. This isn't a complaint, however. I enjoy the busy-ness (business? busyness? Google Chrome says the latter-most is correct) and keeping occupied. Do I wish I had more time in the day? Sometimes. But I can honestly say I wouldn't change a thing about my life right now. There are very few, if any, days where I say to myself, "You know, I wish I had done more. I wish today could've been a better day."
Why the sudden changed outlook on life? Well, although I don't have a lot of my future figured out, I feel very confident of being in the right place right now. I feel where I'm at and what I'm doing are the places/things God wants me to be/do. A recent search has shown to me that I haven't mentioned God in any posts. Perhaps that is the reason for the contentment, the stillness, the peace. God. A quick review of my posts indicates to me that this post is radically different from the others. No philosophy. No late night thoughts. Just saying how fulfilled I feel with the work I am doing with the people I am with.
This post is an anomaly, but one filled with pride. Not an exclusionary pride. I don't want to keep this to myself. I wish everyone felt this way. I wish everyone could feel what they were doing was worthwhile and what they were supposed to be doing. I know that after college this feeling may be hard to come by, seeing as how I'll actually have to decide what it is I think God has planned for me. But with the people I love here with me, I'm confident things will work out.
I suppose the danger with my current state is to become stagnant (which I addressed in an earlier post). Don't become complacent, David. Always strive for growth. Always strive for more. Get smarter. Grow more. Become better.
I love all of you.
More posts to come.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Why am
I so bad at doing things I know I should?
Such is the question that has plaguing me recently. Well, let's be honest, pretty much my whole life. But it's taken a much more prevalent role in the past couple years.
A: "When did it start?"
B: "Spring, freshman year."
A: "O__O"
B: "Yeah, I know."
I used to think it's been to push my limits, to see what I could handle. But I've found I can stay up late and still function. I've found (my first semester at UA) that I can get away with not doing everything and still get away with a 3.0+ GPA.
B: "I don't take very good care of myself."
A: "Why is that?"
I don't know, person A. I just don't know. Cuss. For no good reason. Well, I guess there's never a good reason for not taking care of yourself. I played Borerlands until 1, then started listening to the songs we're doing Sunday, got distracted with listening to other music, and just now got back to listening Sunday's covers.
B: "I'll do better, I swear."
A: "Don't swear anything. No promises, no swears. Just do it."
I'm good with words. I'm a smooth talker (well, I can be). So far that's all I've done. The challenge to prove myself has presented itself all semester long. And I haven't risen to the occasion.
A: "Nobody cares how late you stay up, or how little work you can do. We only care that you do your best."
B: "*Well, frick. Nothing I can say to that...*"
So that's where I'm at right now. You're very wise person A. Use your head more, person B. There's too much going on up there to just ignore. That's not just me or my attempt at putting myself on a pedestal (in case you didn't catch that, I'm person B). Everyone is just as capable as everyone else. It all comes down to how much work you're willing to put into it. Into school. Into your job. Into life.
A: "You're better than this."
You're right.
Such is the question that has plaguing me recently. Well, let's be honest, pretty much my whole life. But it's taken a much more prevalent role in the past couple years.
A: "When did it start?"
B: "Spring, freshman year."
A: "O__O"
B: "Yeah, I know."
I used to think it's been to push my limits, to see what I could handle. But I've found I can stay up late and still function. I've found (my first semester at UA) that I can get away with not doing everything and still get away with a 3.0+ GPA.
B: "I don't take very good care of myself."
A: "Why is that?"
I don't know, person A. I just don't know. Cuss. For no good reason. Well, I guess there's never a good reason for not taking care of yourself. I played Borerlands until 1, then started listening to the songs we're doing Sunday, got distracted with listening to other music, and just now got back to listening Sunday's covers.
B: "I'll do better, I swear."
A: "Don't swear anything. No promises, no swears. Just do it."
I'm good with words. I'm a smooth talker (well, I can be). So far that's all I've done. The challenge to prove myself has presented itself all semester long. And I haven't risen to the occasion.
A: "Nobody cares how late you stay up, or how little work you can do. We only care that you do your best."
B: "*Well, frick. Nothing I can say to that...*"
So that's where I'm at right now. You're very wise person A. Use your head more, person B. There's too much going on up there to just ignore. That's not just me or my attempt at putting myself on a pedestal (in case you didn't catch that, I'm person B). Everyone is just as capable as everyone else. It all comes down to how much work you're willing to put into it. Into school. Into your job. Into life.
A: "You're better than this."
You're right.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
There are
so many things that I want to say, that I feel would be worth hearing/reading. This seems a bit pretentious, though, perhaps not untrue. Is it overly egotistical if one feel there is worth and importance of one's findings? Did Newton think to himself "Holy frick, this is going to change absolutely everything about physics" when he discovered gravity? Did George Washington Carver pick up a peanut and tell all his friends "I will revolutionize the world with this delicious snack"? If he did, did all his friends think he was a raging douchebag? Hard to say.
In any case, my most recent life-conclusion (if you'd like to call it that) is one of character development. Not in a story, but internally. I've decided noone should become stagnant. And by that I mean there should always be some level of discontentment within yourself that pushes, encourages, causes you to strive to be more, do better, work harder. But you should also be proud of your accomplishments, what you have achieved in life and who you are today. To attain balance between discontentment and pride is quite a feat that I don't think anyone truly reaches.
So what have I done since coming to said conclusion? Well, I've done many a chin-up and thought several times about reading a book or two. And I've downloaded quite a few new musics. Oh, and torn it up in Geometry Wars 2. I eat up geoms like nobody's business. Srsly. I will blow. Your. Mind. And updated my relationship status on Facebook. I'm working on it, alright?
I think I'll stop there for tonight. I have to wake up early tomorrow so I can give my girlfriend a wake up call to make sure she gets up and studies.
Oh man. I have a girlfriend now.
Best part of coming back.
"Kris, I like you. And I want you to know, if I had to choose between you and not you, I would choose you. Hands down."
Yeah, she's pretty cool.
In any case, my most recent life-conclusion (if you'd like to call it that) is one of character development. Not in a story, but internally. I've decided noone should become stagnant. And by that I mean there should always be some level of discontentment within yourself that pushes, encourages, causes you to strive to be more, do better, work harder. But you should also be proud of your accomplishments, what you have achieved in life and who you are today. To attain balance between discontentment and pride is quite a feat that I don't think anyone truly reaches.
So what have I done since coming to said conclusion? Well, I've done many a chin-up and thought several times about reading a book or two. And I've downloaded quite a few new musics. Oh, and torn it up in Geometry Wars 2. I eat up geoms like nobody's business. Srsly. I will blow. Your. Mind. And updated my relationship status on Facebook. I'm working on it, alright?
I think I'll stop there for tonight. I have to wake up early tomorrow so I can give my girlfriend a wake up call to make sure she gets up and studies.
Oh man. I have a girlfriend now.
Best part of coming back.
"Kris, I like you. And I want you to know, if I had to choose between you and not you, I would choose you. Hands down."
Yeah, she's pretty cool.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A note
about returning from Haiti (this'll be fairly short). I hope this post is mostly coherent. At this level of exhaustion I tend to ramble and lose the filters in my head. Because we missed our connecting flight and arrived on Wednesday, instead of Tuesday, last week didn't really seem like it counted to me. However, now that the weekend is over, I'm feeling like it's time to get back to the old grind. But it's not the old grind. In fact, doing so would be a huge insult to Haiti and the wonderful Haitian people I met there. The task now is to incorporate what I learned there, about the world and myself, into my daily lifestyle and use that to grow and become a better person. A lot has happened in the past 14 days. Dominican Republic, border, Haiti, working, people, destruction, chaos, desperation, resilience, hope, strength, border, Dominican Republic, resort, speedos, Philadelphia, customs, missed, Charlotte, early, Phoenix, In 'N Out, and back to Tucson to the most incredible welcome home beyond anything I could've ever imagined.
But, like I said, this past week, up until now, hasn't really gotten me back into the old routine. But I will this week. No, that's not true. I can't. I must adapt. I hope I can. I need to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow will be a new day. I will be new tomorrow. I will be better tomorrow.
There is always room to grow.
I hold hands with this one girl now.
But, like I said, this past week, up until now, hasn't really gotten me back into the old routine. But I will this week. No, that's not true. I can't. I must adapt. I hope I can. I need to sleep. Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow will be a new day. I will be new tomorrow. I will be better tomorrow.
There is always room to grow.
I hold hands with this one girl now.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
I have
decided that making all the titles flow together into a sentence is too much work. If it happens, sweet. If not, I won't be too heartbroken about it.
Seeing as how I will be unable to do so for a week and a half, I felt somewhat of an obligation to post something before I left.
I'm very unsure as to what I should expect in Haiti. I'm both excited and anxious. Excited at the opportunity to actually help an area in desperate need and feel like I'm making a difference in the world, however small. Anxious about what I will see or experience and what effect that will have on me. Anxious that I won't be as useful as I would like. Curious as to who I'll be when I get back.
Farewell, Jarrod Stewart. I'll see you again, I'm sure. We'll stay in touch.
To everyone remaining in Tucson, I will miss you sorely. To those going to San Francisco, good luck and safe travels.
I have this strange feeling of finality as I leave. Like I'm going to be gone for good. Obviously I'm coming back. So why the conclusiveness? I am unsure. But I am slightly uneasy because of it.
Everything will be fine. Everyone will come back. We will work well and grow stronger in our relationships with each other. We will be safe.
I'm sure of it. I know it.
I'll be back.
Seeing as how I will be unable to do so for a week and a half, I felt somewhat of an obligation to post something before I left.
I'm very unsure as to what I should expect in Haiti. I'm both excited and anxious. Excited at the opportunity to actually help an area in desperate need and feel like I'm making a difference in the world, however small. Anxious about what I will see or experience and what effect that will have on me. Anxious that I won't be as useful as I would like. Curious as to who I'll be when I get back.
Farewell, Jarrod Stewart. I'll see you again, I'm sure. We'll stay in touch.
To everyone remaining in Tucson, I will miss you sorely. To those going to San Francisco, good luck and safe travels.
I have this strange feeling of finality as I leave. Like I'm going to be gone for good. Obviously I'm coming back. So why the conclusiveness? I am unsure. But I am slightly uneasy because of it.
Everything will be fine. Everyone will come back. We will work well and grow stronger in our relationships with each other. We will be safe.
I'm sure of it. I know it.
I'll be back.
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