Beach Blog- Days 3 &4

I know

I have been slacking.

sorry.

But the beach blog is back.

here we go...

Yesterday.

-woke up to find everyone gone from the house. They all went to the beach while I slept in. Sleeping in felt great

- Went to a mall, got some jeans at the gap (they actually fit, that is different than most), went to an awesome bike store. made me really wish I had my road bike with me...

-Went down to the apple store!!! The best place on earth. It was a very new one too, so that was even better. I wish there was one in Greenville, I would work there.

-Went to some other nice store (all of which were too expensive for my college budget). Lacoste, Puma, yeah I wish...

-King street is really cool. I think I could spend a lot of time there.

- Ate Mexican for Lunch/Dinner. It was amazing. I am always a little hesitant about new Mexican places, but this one really brought their A game. I was impressed. and stuffed.

- Drove around in the afternoon and went to different places around Charleston.

-Went to see Valkyrie. Pretty good. Tom Cruise was not that great, but he did not ruin the movie. I still liked it.

-Tony Morgan is now following me on twitter... he is a celebrity to me, so it was exciting

Today

-Played tennis this morning. It was rough. I have not played in months...and it showed. I was very glad to be back out on the court though. I have missed playing tennis
-We ate at a really good seafood place for lunch. I think it was called Gilligan's. I had a really cool seafood stir-fry dish. Very unique. Very good.

-Went exploring this afternoon, went to the beach, Wild Dunes, and to an amazing Brick Oven pizza place for dinner (although I was not even hungry, I still ate a large amount of food).

- Played Rook again tonight. David and I won again! Once again, we came back in the last hand to win. We now have bragging rights till the next beach trip



I have loved Chucktown. This is my first time really being able to see the town, and it is amazing.
I would love to come back here soon.

I will be glad to be back home though; I have really missed my sweet Kami. I am so excited about being able to spend new year's eve with her. It will be the first new years eve we have been able to spend together.


I will try to post some pics as soon as I can... I know, I am slacking. No videos, no pics... please forgive me. I will have some up as soon as I can get the edited.

ok. time to pack and go to bed.

see you back in TN

One year...today

That's right.

one year


today.

jameseatonsblog.blogspot.com has turned one year old.


What a great year. My little blog has grown up so much. It started as nothing, and now....well. It is still not much, but people read it every day (thanks to everyone who reads my blog :) ). This month has been my biggest post month to date. I already have over 20 posts this month; I think that is more than I had the first three months I had my blog.

It has been a great year.

God has stretched me in ways I could not have imagined this year. I hope you have been able to see a glimpse inside by reading my posts. It is hard to put into words, but I have tried and will continue to try as God leaded me along. I am really learning what it means to step out in faith.

2009 is going to be intense.

Things are going to be different. Every part of my life is going under examination. It is time to take inventory of what I am doing, find out what is good, bad, ugly, right, wrong, and beg God to show me the right direction to go.

I am really learning to step out in faith; it is easy to say, but much more difficult to do. "Just step out in faith...". Preachers say it all the time. It is one thing to say, but it is difficult to do. I would love to say that it is not hard for me to step out and trust God... but it is hard to do sometimes. I can be selfish, and want to be in control of everything in my life. I feel most secure when I am in control.

But, that takes my faith out of play.

Faith means that I am not in control.

That is a daily struggle.


Faith is believing what we cannot see. I like to believe in what I can see.

But God is calling to something different

Bigger


Better

           Maybe more difficult,

There may even be pain.


but, I know that God has a plan, and it is so much more insane and wonderful that anything I could ever think of. That is comforting.

This next year will be all about stepping out in faith. I can't wait to see what happens when I stop trying to be in control.


Happy birthday blog! I can't wait to see how you grow in the year to come...

Beach Blog- day 2

Great day in Charleston.

The weather was amazing. I think it was at least 70 (maybe more). It could be that temperature every day and I would not be sad at all.

- We went to Fort Sumter today. Had to ride a ferry over for 35 minutes to get to the island. I was very glad that I brought my iPod to listen to. I just put it in, ate my hot dog (thanks to the snack bar on the ferry) and enjoyed the nice breeze. Fort Sumter was pretty cool; I was able to take some really good pictures while I was there. I will upload those tomorrow...I am to lazy to put it up tonight.

- We drove around the downtown area, such a cool place.

- Best news of the day.... They have an Apple store!!! It is the only one is SC. I think it is pretty new. I love Apple stores; can't wait to check this one out.

- They also have a Lacoste store, Puma, and Quicksilver; I am going to be in shopping heaven.

- Ate at an amazing Mexican restaurant today. I had so much food... I did not even eat dinner. It was not La Carretta, but it was close :)

- Went to see Valkyrie tonight. Pretty good stuff.

      Tom Cruise- not so good. I am not sure why they decided to make him the main character....Although I did laugh every time I saw him wearing the eye patch.

      The rest of the movie was good. It actually had me believing that they could change history.

- I am exhausted. I guess all the sight-seeing wore me out.

- I will try to have some pics up tomorrow for your viewing pleasure.


Goodnight 

Beach Blog- Take 1

Here is the camera I used to make this. Kami and I bought it for each other for Christmas this year.






Still figuring out all it can do... but it has been great so far.


Check back tomorrow for a real video; hopefully with some shots from around Charleston

Here today: Gone tomorrow

It is 12:01 am. That means it is no longer Christmas day.

This has been one of the best Christmases I can remember. It has also be the most interesting...

I think that once again, a list form would be the best way to spill my brains about today.

Here we go...

- Did not have many things to open under the tree this morning. I have been using my computer for a week, and I made coffee in my new coffee pot two days ago. So all my present were already in use. That was a first
- another first- Mountain biking on Christmas. We took a nice little ride on the trails this morning. David, my dad, and I had a great time (despite the fact that it was extremely muddy). I think this is a great tradition that was started today.

- We had to recite poems, sing carols, and bring up memories from our past to receive our presents at my grandparent's house today; it was fun. We had to draw pieces of paper that had instructions on what we needed to accomplish to be able to open our presents.

- Went bowling this evening with uncle Kent, David, and Brian. I even beat Kent in one game out of three. I think I had my highest score ever (It was 142. I was pretty proud of myself). We had a great time together.

-Then, I went to see Kami's family. Her aunt and uncles came in from Atlanta tonight; it was good to see them again. We had a great time talking, eating, opening presents, eating, and playing the new guitar hero.

- Now I am sitting here relaxing getting ready to hit the hay. I am exhausted from the long day, but it was great. I am not sure I have ever done this much on Christmas, but I would not have changed a thing. Best Christmas ever.



 I would love to have comments on things that happened today that you will not forget. Leave your favorite Christmas memory of the year on the comment section.

Twas the night before Christmas...eve

A year ago today, Kami and I were leading worship at my home church. we got up on stage, and to be break the ice, I asked everyone if they were having a good Christmas eve eve.

I guess it caught on, because at least a few of the other staff members made reference to it during the day. It does not seem like it has been a year since Christmas...but it has.

I feel like a totally different person than I was a year ago; God is doing a huge work in my life. I have been stretched so much this year (and I feel like it is just the beginning of that...).

This Christmas season has just been a reminder to me of how good God really is.

He is just

  faithful

         loving

    full of grace

               He is good

I am not worthy of anything He has to offer, yet He gives it to me through Jesus.

Jesus

only son, beloved of God

Came to earth.

I think we glaze over the fact that he came to earth; that he actually lived life as a human.

He could have just shown up as an adult, shed his blood, and gone back to heaven

But

He didn't.

He became flesh. I love the line from Hillsong that says, "He became flesh, bore my sin and death"

Jesus lived life on earth. He ate food, traveled, slept, made wine, healed people, and did a lot of listening and sharing. Jesus became a person. Never stopped being God, but became man all the same.

I am not confident to say that I know exactly why Jesus came in human form, but I do think it was no accident.

Following Christ is all about your relationship with Him. Relationships are important.
What is more helpful when you have a problem:

- someone who says, "I have never experienced that, but...."
             or
- someone who says, "I know how you feel, I have been there"

I believe everyone would agree on the latter.

I think it is the same with in our relationship with Christ. When we have hard time, struggles, problems, or maybe just a bad day, we have a savior who has seen it all (and is in control of it all). Jesus lived on the earth; He knows how we feel because he was here in flesh. I cannot explain how he was all God and all man at the same time.... I just know that He understands me, because he experienced firsthand this world in flesh.

That is some crazy love. It is not normal. It is mind-blowing to think about. But it is the most comforting thing to know that the savior of the world, who lives inside of me, understands how I feel because he experienced it first hand.

Christmas this year is all about remembering how good God is, how perfect His plan is, and how much He understands where I am, because He was here too.

I pray that you can rest in the comfort of the savior who became flesh for you. He is Jesus. He is love. He is Christmas

Reading List

The new year is quickly approaching. That means it is time to think about what you are going to do different in the new year.

Gym memberships will start back, people will makes lists of things they want to accomplish, new adventures will be taken. I have some things I want to accomplish in the new year (that will be another post closer to new years).

One thing I do want to do is read. A lot. I know that I am going to be busy with school work and assignments, but I also want to make time to read other books. I think that reading is such an important thing, and I do not do enough of it (unless you count all the blogs I read...)

Here are some books I would like to read in the year to come.

- Searching for God knows what- Donald Miller
- Vintage Jesus- Mark Driskol
- UnChristian- Gabe Lyons (I have had this one for a while, but have not had time to read it)
- Wild Goose Chase- Mark Batterson
- It- Graig Groschel
- Mad Church Disease- Ann Jackson
- Killing Cockroaches- Tony Morgan
- Some more CS Lewis stuff


I would also like to find some good fiction stuff to read. Here is where I need your help....
I am not really up on what is good in the fiction world; I need some suggestions on what to read.

I am game for anything that is good. I would just like a book that I can read and fall into that world, I have not read one like that in a long time....

Any suggestions would be great.

Sunday Night Mind Dump

Lots on the brain. Need to get it out before sleep is an option.

-"The Spring" was rockin this morning. I love the band at church! I have really missed playing with them while I have been at school.
- I move around a lot on stage (I have been a little reserved since I have been home...), but there is still some movement. I can't tell you what I do... I really do not do it on purpose. It just comes out when I am leading worship. I have noticed that people watch me and some people have funny looks on their faces when I move around on stage. Not sure what they are thinking; not sure I care.  I just love to worship, and lead worship. The best way I know to lead worship is just to worship myself. I am going to worship regardless of what anyone else does. I hope and pray that they will be able to worship when I am playing, but their response does not determine my worship.

- I thought my lips were going to die during the cantata tonight... I have not played trombone in a few months, so 2 nights of serious playing was intense.
- Apparently I look good in a tux. I got a lot of compliments on my outfit...
- and my hair. I had at least 12 people tell me how much they liked my hair, thought it was cool, liked that I was growing it out, wondered how I make it do what is does. I guess I am headed in the right direction with my hair. I do not really know how my hair becomes what it is. I put product in it, mess it up, style it, and then it curls on the ends during the day. I think I spend more time on it than some girls... not sure if that is a good thing.

- Hoping to sleep better tonight. Did not sleep well last night at all.
- Ready for Christmas. It is only a few days away.
- Also ready for the beach after Christmas! That is always a good time to get away and relax for a little while

- I am enjoying my time off. But I am getting so pumped about next semester. Fusion is going to be off the hook (I am not sure if I am cool enough to say that). It really is going to be awesome. More to come on that at a later time

- I am loving my Macbook Pro. It is wonderful. I am going to miss my Macbook, but my sadness is gone when I look at this amazing LED screen and back-lit keyboard.

- Excited about visiting Highlands Fellowship over break.

- I need some itunes cards to dowload all the col new music I have found.

- It is cold outside. Finally feeling like Christmas... I would like at least a few warm days to ride my bike though.

- Kami is driving. She is doing great! It is so nice that she can meet me places. It has just been wonderful.


ok. time for bed (I hope).

Note to self:

Do not work out after 10 pm and expect to have a good night sleep...

I feel like the kid on Talladega Nights when he says, "I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew!"

except, I am saying, "I'm all jacked up on endorphins"

and

I am pumped about church this morning!!!
- I am ecstaticabout leading worship this morning. It is going to be an amazing service; I know God is going to move all around the country this morning. This could be the most amazing Sunday ever...
 

I have just felt God's presence here with me all night. I just felt so much inspiration and comfort in the passage I read last night.

Here is a section from Luke Chapter 1. This passage is know as Mary's song. It is such an amazing section of scripture. Here is the section that really got me going.

My soul glorifies the Lord
    47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
 48 for he has been mindful
      of the humble state of his servant.
   From now on all generations will call me blessed,
    49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
      holy is his name. 

Mary says that all generations will call her blessed. But not for what she can do on her own, but what the Mighty One has done for her.

wow.

I feel like there are so many people out there (and I fall into this category at times) that say, "I just don't see God working around me" or "I just wish God would use me..."

I don't think being pregnant with the Son of God was an easy thing to do. I am sure it was very difficult and almost impossible to explain that one to the neighbors. And there had to be times when she questioned what God was doing. But she realized that He is mindful of who she is, that God was going to bless her. She was not amazing in herself, but through the power of God, all generations will remember her.

Maybe you are wondering where God is; maybe you are wondering why He is not doing something in your life (I know I feel that way sometimes).

Look around. Maybe you are not seeing God because you are so busy looking for what you think God should be doing instead of what He is already doing in you.

God did amazing things through Mary, and we are still talking about what God did through her today. She was very right when she said that all generations will remember her...

What are you allowing God to do through you that people will remember you for? What mighty things has He done for you?

That is my prayer today, as we get closer to Christmas day, that I would allow God to work through me and do something amazing in me for His glory.




- just a thought that kept me up last night. I pray that it is encouraging to someone today.

5 Days till Christmas

It is almost here. Christmas.

Hard to believe it. You wait all year for it, and when it comes you are surprised.

Maybe because there is so much work to do the week before Christmas. Shopping, cooking,cleaning, shopping, packing, wrapping. The list goes on.

Are we missing what Christmas is about?
I am not talking about taking the Christ out of Christ mas, but we are missing the point of actually worshiping him on Christmas.

We have the nativity scene, we sing the songs, put signs up in the yard (some yards look like they are campaigning for Christmas...), say "merry Christmas" to everyone we see. And these are all good things.

but

Are we doing so much "stuff" for Baby Jesus on Christmas that we miss the whole point. Worshiping the Son of God who came to earth to die for our sins.

It is great to spread Christmas cheer. But what if we are getting caught up in all the hype and missing actually worshiping Christ?

I know I am guilty of this. Busy busy busy for God, but not taking time to be still and know Him.

That is what God wants, a relationship. He wants us to know Him.


Spread the Christmas cheer. Tell others why you celebrate Christmas. But don't forget to actually celebrate Christmas this season.

 It is great to put signs up in your yard. But what is going on in your heart?  God care much more about your heart than your Christmas decorations...

Back in Mac

It is here!!!

The long awaited (4 days...) computer is now here.

I went out to lunch with Tiger, and came home to find a little surprise waiting for me on the doorstep.

I rushed inside and opened the box like a wild-child on Christmas morning. Even the box is professional looking. It is black and mod looking. Very simplistic design. Inside was this little beauty.

I opened it up, turned it on, and....waited for 8 hours while migration assistant basically made a copy of my macbook on my new mac. I thought I was going to die waiting there for hours, but it was worth it.

After the migration was finished, I went looking for music and other documents, only to find that they were not there. I could not find them anywhere. At this point, I started to become a little anxious; I was really concerned. I had used over 80 gigs on my hard drive, but I could not find any of my files.

But

I found them...

They were under my user name from the white macbook (which was almost identical to my new one...)
I logged in under my old name, and everything was there! Even my background and everything was already set. That was an amazing feeling. It made the 8 hours of waiting worth it to just be able to open my programs and have everything there for me.

I am sitting here typing on my back-lit keyboard a happy man.

I will post some pics tomorrow of the new toy for the world to see.

Time to get some rest; it has been a long day waiting in anticipation for this little thing to get up and running.

For the record. I already love this computer. It loaded itunes almost 8-10 seconds faster than my macbook; the icon did not even bounce one time and it was already loaded. That is wonderful. I think we are going to have a great relationship together....

Information overload

I found this video on Anne Jackson's Blog. It is pretty crazy. It last a little over 4 minutes, but I believe it is worth taking a look at.




wow. Information in everywhere... and growing exponentially.

- This really made me stop and think.

-What are we doing right now to reach out to people?
- What are we doing right now that will allow us to be able to reach people next year?
- What we are doing now that is working will not work in 2 years. Or at least it will not be as effective. (that is a crazy thought...)

-Every minute is important.

Stop planning and start doing. Time is too short to waste on the sidelines.

I leave you with the famous words of Johnny Tsunami (from the best Disney channel movie ever...)

"Go big, or go home"

the world is too full of stuff and life is too important to do a half-hearted job

Two Minute Tuesday

Topic: Christmas break so far...
In My ears: Coldplay's new ep. ( I love it... they should make a new ep every month.)

- Got some new Bose in-ear headphones from my Grandparents for Christmas. They are rockin my ears off. They are not very noise canceling, but the sound is amazing bose quality. And they are extremely comfortable to wear... always a plus.

- Macbook Pro is on the way. I am praying that it comes in the morning when I wake up....that would be the best morning to wake up to my new mac on the front door and Kami in my driveway...what? Yep. Kami is now road-ready.
- Went with Kami today to get her license. She did great. Although, I did think I was going to have to give her a mild sedative in the waiting room. She was a little (lot) nervous, and was freaking out about taking the driving test. She just kept saying, "maybe I am not meant to drive... maybe this is a bad idea." I just kept reminding her that it was a good idea, and that driving was a normal activity. After she went outside for her test she was fine. She even made a perfect score! Yay Kami

- Got my butt kicked by the road bike trainer in the garage tonight. 25 minutes on that beast was enough to make a grown man cry... or just make someone tired. My goal for the summer is to lose 20 pounds and work up to ride a metric century (that is a 100k ride in a day). I have some work cut out for me

- Ready for Christmas; I think I have finally decompressed and I am ready to be home. Kami and I have just sat around at her grandparent's house the last few days. We did not really even do anything. Just sitting. talking. cooking. sitting. Yep... it was kind of like a detox session, except from exams and school.

-Attempting to clean Brian's..er..(my) room. I just does not feel like my room yet, but hopefully it will get there soon.


That may have taken more than two minutes. I am sorry if this caused you to miss the introduction to your favorite soap opera or daytime drama... or whatever else you were doing.    More on Christmas to come..

It is on the way...

tomorrow. I hope it ships tomorrow.

Macbook Pro. 15.4 inches of Mac wonder in an aluminum frame.

To say that I am excited is an understatement. I have been dreaming about getting one for a long time. So to think that it is really happening is crazy.

But I do love my white macbook; I am going to miss is. It has been the only computer I have ever had to call my own. It is an amazing computer. I can still remember when I got it. It has been a good 2 years with my macbook. I am going to miss having a white computer. but, it will still be at home for the fam to use. (They better not scratcht her all up...I take good care of my computer).

I will upload pics as soon as it comes.

3-7 business days and it will be here (I hope it is more like 3 than 7).

I need help

OK. here is the deal.

I am getting a Macbook Pro for Christmas. There are 2 on the internet that are very similar that I love. They are almost the same price, but one is matte finish and the other is glossy.

I have read plenty of forums and I am back in the middle of the road. Both are great choices, but I am not sure about the screen.

Any thought?? Just trying to find the best fit.

Matte or glossy?

Help...

Break time

1st full day back at home.

-Slept this morning till almost 11... and need to do that a few more times to catch up
- ate lunch with dad at Riverfront Seafood. I had New Orleans shrimp. I enjoyed the spicy goodness

- Spent the afternoon with Kami. Very relaxing.
- Got to drive Jami's 1970's Volkswagen Beetle. I have never driven a stick before, and really want to learn. We were at the store and I mentioned that, and she said she would teach me to drive her car.  It was really fun. I think I am hooked... (this did not help my obsession with wanting a Mini Cooper...)

- We made desserts at Kami's Grandparents house. Well, Kami made dessert while I edited photos on Photoshop. She even made me some amazing coffee while I was working. Starbucks has nothing on her.
-  I have a love/hate relationship with Photoshop. I love its endless ability to create and edit things; I hate that I do not understand all of it, which makes seemingly simple things difficult. I did a lot of good stuff today by accident (but hey, the pictures turned out very nicely). I need a Photoshop coach...

- Tired. Need more sleep
- Also, really want to go for a bike ride, but it is cold and rainy. Not a good combo... I guess I can just ride the indoor trainer tomorrow.

- On a more serious note. I just found out that Bradley's cancer has spread to both his lungs...
Please be in prayer for him during this time; I believe he will start treatment Monday or Tuesday.     Pray for a miracle to happen inside his body.


Bed is calling, and I am giving in...

Bradley Brock

Last week, my cousin Bradley found out that he has cancer.

He is 16 years old, and lives in Kingsport, TN

You can check out his information at this caring bridge site

You can follow his story there, look at pictures, and read more about the type of cancer he has.

Please be in prayer for Bradley and our family during this time.

I am still in shock... it is hard to imagine that this is really happening. I am really excited about seeing him in a few days when I am home. I will be there to hang out with him in the hospital as much as he needs.

Please check out his page. Leave comments if you would like to show your support during this trying time.

The first day of...

Freedom.

I am so glad to be done with classes!!!!!!

- did I mention that I was glad to be done??

I finished my exams yesterday afternoon and then I just sat on my bed and read blogs on my computer....

I just sat there; It was hard to imagine not doing anything. Usually when I am sitting on my bed with my computer, I am writing a blog or something like that when I should have been doing Greek homework. But yesterday, there was not work to do. No papers to write, journals to finish, exams to study for. I was actually done.

I sat there thinking there was something that I needed to do. But I could not think of a single thing. I decided to celebrate by watching V for Vendetta and sleeping.

We had our RA appreciation dinner last night, then went down to Greenville with Jason and Haley. They were starving and needed food real bad. The only place that was still open was Wild Wings; it was loud...

I am now sitting in the conference room checking people out for Christmas break... I am just ready to get out of here and head home tomorrow.



*Kami used pictures in her post yesterday, and it inspired me to give it a try...

Tomorrow

I am done!

Today... I do not want to study.

I only have 2 more tests left. I have study guides for both tests... and I am not finding much motivation to study. I am just ready to go home and relax.

I will be so glad tomorrow afternoon to know that I am finished with the semester. Until then, I must give a little more effort to studying for exams.

I am trying to push to the end, I just do not know how much more I have left to give. This has been the most intense semester yet. I have never had so much to do in my life...


I am putting together my reading list for Christmas break/next semester. If anyone has any suggestions, please comment. I am just trying to find a bunch of good books to read, fiction and non-fiction. Comment with your suggestions; your book could be one that I choose...

Impossible is nothing

I was reading today in Luke chapter one when the angel appeared to Mary and tells her that she will be having a child... the son of God.

She is confused. The angel tells her that her relative Elizabeth is also going to have a child in her old age.

Then the angel says, "For nothing is impossible with God"

wow. And what is even more amazing is Mary's response.
  
She replies, " I am the Lord's servant, may it be done to me as you have said"

     in other words, " I believe in God's promise"

Sometime I read the Christmas story and glaze over the importance of Mary's faith. We read it now and think, "of course she believes, it is Jesus that is coming..."

Imagine trying to tell your friends and family what is happening... or Joseph. This is a miracle from God, an angel came to visit her, but other people did not see this. They just see a young pregnant girl with a weird story.

Nothing is impossible with God.

Mary goes to visit Elizabeth and when she speaks to her, the baby inside jumps and Elizabeth says, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished"

Mary believed in what God had said, despite anything that came against her. I am sure she received lots of strange looks and comment directed at her, but she believed what God said.

What has God told you that sounds crazy? Is there something that God has laid on your heart to do, but you have no idea how in the world it is going to happen?

Nothing is impossible with God.

People may not like it, they may even try to get you to back down or stop doing it. But if God has called you to do something, He is faithful to accomplish the work in you.

Nothing is impossible with God

Streamline in 09

Title is a little silly, I know.... but it is the best way I can think of to get the point across


I have become weighted down this past semester; my cup has been running over with things. While all of them were good things, there were too many things.

I was so busy doing lots of things "good", I was not able to anything great.

SO

Next year is going to be different. I am taking my Grandfather's advice he gave me at the beginning of the year. He told me not to get to busy to not enjoy life; I have become too busy.

I am going to streamline what I do next semester. Only things that are most important will be kept. Here are some things that are staying:

1. Kami- She has been a trooper this semester putting up with all my doings. She will not have a back seat next semester.
2. BSU- I am pumped about music for Fusion next semester. It is going to be another big step. I feel like God has laid some amazing things on my heart for BSU, and I am excited to see what happens.
3. Personal Bible Study- This is something that has really suffered this year because I have been so busy. I want to really take my bible study/ journaling to the next level.
4. Free time- I need free time. I need to relax. I will burn out if I do not have some "selfish time"
5. Exercise- I really enjoy exercising, I just did not have that much time to do it this semester. I need to get back in a little better shape, and I want to do that next semester.


These are 5 things that will not be compromised next semester. There are others too, but these are a good start.

What are you doing next year to make it your best year?

Thank You

To everyone who made possibly the biggest traffic day of my blog possible.

It is greatly appreciated.

I hope you will check back whenever you can. I try to keep it updated with all sorts of goodies. Check back often and leave comments; I like feedback.

You helped make history... ok. that was a slight ploy to get you to read my blog. But thanks for the effort. If I had something to give you all I would...

You did make history for me. I will not forget this day in my blogging history (it is marked on my blog tracker so I can always see it).


Time to finish my bowling paper.... Exams are beginning.

thanks for your help!

Discomfort drives Passion

If it's not broken... don't fix it.

Ever heard that before?

What if something is broken? What do we do? We may get a little upset, then we do something about it.

When I am riding my bike and the chain comes off, I get a little mad (because I have to stop, put it back on, get grease on my hands, and fix it), but I fix it. I do not ride around thinking, "well, I am sure this is not the best choice, but I just do not want to get off my bike and put my chain on..."

That would be crazy! Your momentum would stop in a few seconds and you would be stuck.

Sometimes things are not the way we want; things happen that are not good or expected.



Jesus, God's son, asked for the cup to be taken from his hands before his crucifixion. He was not comfortable, but his passion drove him to follow God's will.

Culture has changed, some churches understand that, some don't. People who are ok with the way things are do not see any need to change. They would subscribe to the. "not broken, don't fix" plan.

Other people recognize the need, and do something about it. It may not be easy, comfortable, simple, and people may even get mad.... yes it will happen. This is a hard concept for me; I do not like to have anyone upset. In fact, I will go out of my way to keep people from being upset. But there are things that are  more important then what I think.

Reaching lost people is important!!! Making disciples is important!!!!! Fighting about lighting and the style of music in the church is not!!!!

But it is not really about the style of music, or using video elements in the service... it is about people who want to be selfish and enjoy the "serve me, feed me" attitude of the church. Church becomes a place where you go, put in your time, lie about how you are doing, then go eat lunch.

Sounds more like a club than a church.

 What if we went to church expecting to hear from God, praying that he would make us uncomfortable, and move us to a place of action. Discomfort drives action.

I am not comfortable with the fact that people are going to hell because we argue about the carpet color and forget that there is a lost world outside.
 

      I think the devil loves the church when fight and argue. He wins we are divided.

That should piss you off. Discomfort drives passion.

God is

 blowing my mind lately!

That is an understatement actually.

It is hard for me to describe in words all the things that are going on inside my head. God is changing me, molding me, there is a fire inside that was not there a few months ago. I see everything in a different way now; it has all changed for the good (some may think it is not, but I am really not ok with just being status quot anymore).

I am also praying about some big changes this coming year. I am streamlining my life to focus on purpose. This last semester was like a buffet, I tried everything... really, I did so many things, I am not even going to name them because it would make my head spin just to list them.

Bottom line... I got fat off the buffet of "things", but was being pushed in 50 different ways and was not being the best I could be at any of them.

I was doing all the "good" I could, but I was giving up on the best.

Next semester is going to be different. I am considering some huge changes. I am also praying that God would do something amazing through me next semester. I do not want to settle for anything less. I will not limit the power of God to what I think I can do. Rather, I am trusting the HE will do something through me that is undeniably Him.

Change is coming.... I blogged about it, now it is time for the rubber to meet the road.