its like the painting spoke to the boy

WOW...
I am so pumped for going. less than two weeks. Its nerve racking...We still have forms to fill out, and some information is needed but God will take care of it. Im just completely stoaked. Showing how stoaked i am....thats a different story...i dunno how to show it haha!

I see so much through new eyes. I see how a life without God is seemingly fruitless and unfufilling. But I see people who have these preconceived notions about God and it makes their walk with Him so BORING!

I watched Last Samurai about two months ago, but one line keeps sticking out. Its where Tom Cruise has already learned the language, and starts to help out the woman who is caring for him. She really didnt like him at all. She walks in the door, struggling to hang onto this big basket of rice. She sets it down to take off her shoes (Japanese custom to not wear their shoes inside house). And he rushes in to help her by picking up the basket of rice.

Upset, she tells him, "What are you doing? Japanese men do not do that!". Tom Cruise picks up the basket of rice. He paused for about 3 seconds and then gently says, "Im not Japanese".

Whoa! This has a huge point! Christians are to be in the world, not of it, right? And we are supposed to be "salt and light" to this world by letting Christ work through and in us.

With this established, aren't we, people changed and saved by God, supposed to have the same effect to the world? Where we can do something and they look and say, "What are you doing? Normal people aren't supposed to love their enemies! Normal people arent supposed to give with full knowledge the favor won't be returned! Normal people aren't supposed to be rejoicing in times of suffering! Normal people just dont do that!" and we just simply stare and say, "Im not of this world. Im not a normal person...Im a follower and disciple of Christ!"

This tiny bit I have been chewing on for a couple days. Its good food. Haha

When The Robes Of The Choir Glows

I just got the word. I am Accepted! Like 100% in the internship! Its very exciting, and the door to my future is opening to many turns and opportunities. It's very humbling and as the saying goes, "RIGHTEOUS!!"

Haha, I am fully going to vamp up my surfer style a bit while I am there. Sandals. Shorts. Shell Necklace. LONG HAIR!!! WOOT!! And of course, the "dude", "bruh", "schyawh"(surfer for ya), and my all time fav "Righteous"......!!! Haha Im such a kid right now.

God is opening doors and opportunities. I only dreamed about this kind of thing, and now that its happening, it scares "the ever livin' outta me"...yes I quoted Dane Cook.

So may this path be one of Faith, Hope, and Love. ANd may the greatest of these, Love, shine brightly on me and my path with God.

the tree has much to give, will you enjoy what it offers?

I went to Mellow Mushroom with a friend today after visiting an Advent Mass. We talked about lots of things. Many of which I cannot properly name what it's about. Towards the end, after about 1 1/2 hours of pizza and soft pretzels, my friend interrupts me and says, "Listen...you just need to chill. Quit trying to figure out how things work. Chill."

Chill.....I will tell you, this drove me nuts when we left. "How do you chill? I know how I chill when I'm with my buds. But each is so different"...the thought puzzled me. It's a way to express myself to someone, right?

I used to(and admittingly still do) think and ponder what it means to do something. Whether is loving, chilling, playing, singing, and/or living...I would search out the answer.

I'd go to different people and seek their way of doing these. Seeing if I know how some do it, that I too may be the same and would save me from being wrong.

Do any of you catch the hidden motive there? I never would have thought there was until I just quit trying to understand, and look at it. It's pride. I want to be right. I don't want people to look at me for doing it wrong; instead, I want them to see me doing it right. No fully committed heart intentions focused on Pleasing my God.

Reality is...there is no "right/wrong" way to express yourself for God. God looks at the heart. Sees the desire to please Him, and responds. He loved us first, we respond, and He responds yet again. The cycle with love which starts and ends with God loving us, not vice versa.

May I come to know my personal way of expressing myself to God. May it drive me deeper, and deeper, and deeper, and deeper into who God is to ME. May it create genuine-ness and creativity.

set sail, brave adventurer, into the unknown and beyond

I see this opportunity as a launching pad for the rest of my life.

I know nothing of what doors will fly open and ones that will be shut tight. It's the fear of the unknown. The fear that should (and it personally does) drive us to the trust in God...ie having faith in Him and all He can do.

I was talking with my dad just moments ago. He told me how this Christmas is extra special. He said its possibly the last one as an entire family. This realization made me think about a Semi Truck hitting a shoddy built house....ya I know...no real connection. But it made me think about how limited my time with my family is. I finally discovered what Season with God Im in....Advent....preparing the way! (in the real Advent's case, preparing the way for the Messiah's birth). It's humbling, and I sometimes take it for granted, but now knowing...Im trying to be studious: Learning what it means to follow the Spirit; learning about love; understanding sufferings roles and faces; consulting my dad and Daddy about things Im seeing.......its not wasted.

Im truly blessed to be in this position...Humbled, Honored, Hyped.....oh yeah dude

Set Sail, Brave Adventurer
Im in the dark, no light near my path
A voice cries out, clear and true
Take a step forward
I cannot comply, what if I fall?
Will I be left to die?
Get a hold of yourself
He knows, and He guides my steps
I trust you, Lord this is for You
The step is taken, and what a sight
The light shines, and darkness fails
Proven existance of the two
There truly is a God who loves
Truly, I need you