Today, I went to the driving range with a buddy of mine that I haven't seen in ages. He's a younger cat, but in high-school, we hung out all the time... and everyday during summer of my jr year. He's just one of those guys that you can hit off anytime with from wherever you left off. You guys laugh at the same stuff, share interests, and just be straight up ridiculous with. That's so rare to find in life, you gotta cherish those people, no matter what the other differences are.
Out of the 30-something balls I swung at, I ended up hitting probably 5 of them past 50 yards... and STILL got blisters. Screw golf. Still, I've missed these kinds of times and I hope there's more to come in the future. It's been a lawn time buddy. Too lawn. Bahaha.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Trenton
Trenton... what can I say about this guy? A lot it turns out. So one Sunday afternoon at the Brittain dining hall on campus, I met a dude while watching the nba playoffs on the big screen. We struck up a conversation about the game and then got to know each other in the process.
Trenton came down from Chicago with his brother not too long ago, because he said there were supposed to be "better opportunities and real good weather." Funny, because we now both know that the weather in Atlanta is like HOT FIRE THAT SWEATS. What a terrible combo. As we talked about Chicago I got to tell him how much I liked it there when I visited last summer. He mentioned that he was from the south-side, near the area I stayed at in Chinatown once, so we connected on that. Chicago is one of those cities where it feels very homey... and everyone there wants to be there. It seemed like he missed it quite a bit.
As for opportunities, when I got around to asking him, he told me about his dream to become a mechanic. He wanted to go to Atlanta Technical College (hopefully, he said) and one day own his own shop... and he wanted to do it because that was his vision of how he could help others. He said he loved the idea that he could build long-lasting relationships with his customers, one day at a time, fixing their cars and helping them out. All of this, is what he is be working towards now.
That blew me away.
To be frank, this guy was too young... and too good to be working in a dining hall, doing the stuff he was doing, and working the hours he was working. Everyone he meets probably asks him how old he is because he looks like a kid. That's the reason why I ended up striking it up with him in the first place too.
I couldn't imagine being in a position like his, from a position like mine. I always thought there were people who had their dreams and were chasing after them hard, but I honestly didn't know many people personally who did. That might come as a shocker, but it really isn't, considering that too much comfort leads to complacency, cockiness, and whatever other negative c word out there applies. His dream was specific and his heart was set on it. Although I've never wanted to be a mechanic, I wanted to be like Trenton in that moment, having his heart, his desire to serve people one day... driving the things he was doing now. Who knows if he is a believer, but I want to live my life the way he does, for higher purposes rather than earthly ones...
As the game on the screen started to get a bit more exciting our conversation paused for a bit. We both shook our heads in amazement after another Memphis Grizzlies' basket was fueling an improbable underdog comeback. After a while, Trenton said he had to get back to work. While we exchanged our it-was-nice-to-meet-yous... I couldn't help but feeling like I had just met a legend in the making.
I looked towards the screen and Memphis was now on top. Trenton was like the Memphis team, grinding it out against the bigger dogs of this world, and I was rootin for him. There's a reason we always cheer for the underdogs to get to the top. They're the ones who make the most with what they have... when they have any success, they always remember where they came from first and try to identify and give back. May I be someone who always remembers where I come from, making the most of what I've been given.
"As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand." Ecclesiastes 5:15
Let's go grizzlies!!
Trenton came down from Chicago with his brother not too long ago, because he said there were supposed to be "better opportunities and real good weather." Funny, because we now both know that the weather in Atlanta is like HOT FIRE THAT SWEATS. What a terrible combo. As we talked about Chicago I got to tell him how much I liked it there when I visited last summer. He mentioned that he was from the south-side, near the area I stayed at in Chinatown once, so we connected on that. Chicago is one of those cities where it feels very homey... and everyone there wants to be there. It seemed like he missed it quite a bit.
As for opportunities, when I got around to asking him, he told me about his dream to become a mechanic. He wanted to go to Atlanta Technical College (hopefully, he said) and one day own his own shop... and he wanted to do it because that was his vision of how he could help others. He said he loved the idea that he could build long-lasting relationships with his customers, one day at a time, fixing their cars and helping them out. All of this, is what he is be working towards now.
That blew me away.
To be frank, this guy was too young... and too good to be working in a dining hall, doing the stuff he was doing, and working the hours he was working. Everyone he meets probably asks him how old he is because he looks like a kid. That's the reason why I ended up striking it up with him in the first place too.
I couldn't imagine being in a position like his, from a position like mine. I always thought there were people who had their dreams and were chasing after them hard, but I honestly didn't know many people personally who did. That might come as a shocker, but it really isn't, considering that too much comfort leads to complacency, cockiness, and whatever other negative c word out there applies. His dream was specific and his heart was set on it. Although I've never wanted to be a mechanic, I wanted to be like Trenton in that moment, having his heart, his desire to serve people one day... driving the things he was doing now. Who knows if he is a believer, but I want to live my life the way he does, for higher purposes rather than earthly ones...
As the game on the screen started to get a bit more exciting our conversation paused for a bit. We both shook our heads in amazement after another Memphis Grizzlies' basket was fueling an improbable underdog comeback. After a while, Trenton said he had to get back to work. While we exchanged our it-was-nice-to-meet-yous... I couldn't help but feeling like I had just met a legend in the making.
I looked towards the screen and Memphis was now on top. Trenton was like the Memphis team, grinding it out against the bigger dogs of this world, and I was rootin for him. There's a reason we always cheer for the underdogs to get to the top. They're the ones who make the most with what they have... when they have any success, they always remember where they came from first and try to identify and give back. May I be someone who always remembers where I come from, making the most of what I've been given.
"As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand." Ecclesiastes 5:15
Let's go grizzlies!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Prodigal
Some times... for some reason you feel as if you cannot escape God's GRACE... not his wrath, judgement, or anger, but his GRACE.
That's how I feel right now as if the sky is starting to close down on me and wants to crush my deepest inners.
Most of the time, I want to run from it... it seems like the easier, more pleasant way.
But honestly, how can I?
God, I'm here. I will stay here, waiting. Help me to receive. Don't leave me or forsake me. Be with me and comfort me. For you God, are not a God of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33.
That's how I feel right now as if the sky is starting to close down on me and wants to crush my deepest inners.
Most of the time, I want to run from it... it seems like the easier, more pleasant way.
God, I'm here. I will stay here, waiting. Help me to receive. Don't leave me or forsake me. Be with me and comfort me. For you God, are not a God of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Jargs... yarg
Religious jargon gets people lost in translation.
I hope that a bad translator will never end up becoming a diplomat between warring countries because then we'd have a lot of dumber wars than we have now.
That being said, words like "Grace," "gospel," "Jesus," can be such flimsy words without understanding the substance behind them. This is why I think the Bible records so much detail about things like ceremonies, rituals, rules and regulations... they're so long and tedious. These are the old requirements to approach God. This is why we need to understand our separation before we can value our fellowship.
This is why we need to be single for a while so we can value our marriage.
This is why we need to understand people before we judge them.
This is why understanding context is so important in all of life.
Context first... conclusions second. Or else, dumb conclusions.
I hope that a bad translator will never end up becoming a diplomat between warring countries because then we'd have a lot of dumber wars than we have now.
That being said, words like "Grace," "gospel," "Jesus," can be such flimsy words without understanding the substance behind them. This is why I think the Bible records so much detail about things like ceremonies, rituals, rules and regulations... they're so long and tedious. These are the old requirements to approach God. This is why we need to understand our separation before we can value our fellowship.
This is why we need to be single for a while so we can value our marriage.
This is why we need to understand people before we judge them.
This is why understanding context is so important in all of life.
Context first... conclusions second. Or else, dumb conclusions.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Quote of the day:
This is cool. A dude who is an artistic baller and loves Jesus.
''If I have time to do everything else, I have time to read the Bible,''
-Ziarekenya Smith, young & aspiring designer, of God Inspired Designs.
Remember the name.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ziaregraphicartist/
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Journey Basketball League
It was really great having fellowship with brothers and some sisters through something as simple as basketball. I realized that having a good attitude can make a world of difference. Let me explain:
Yesterday night, I was having a lot of complaints. I didn't like the team that was chosen for me, the distance, the costs, the amount of time it would take. I almost wanted to tell David that I didn't want to be a captain anymore and be a quitter...
However, late into the night... I stumbled onto a Youtube video of some Xavier basketball players. Don't ask me how. They were freaking hilarious though. Basically, they are "walk-ons" or guys who aren't scholarship players. They self-proclaimed themselves as the "three-headed monster". LOL. I couldn't help but crack a smile, and I was definitely taken aback by their upbeat, joyful attitudes. They were simply thankful to be part of the team, thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of a community. Anyways, after this video, I was reminded to be thankful myself for the same things and ditch the negatory attitude as soon as possible. Pretty inspiring if I'd say so.
Yesterday night, I was having a lot of complaints. I didn't like the team that was chosen for me, the distance, the costs, the amount of time it would take. I almost wanted to tell David that I didn't want to be a captain anymore and be a quitter...
However, late into the night... I stumbled onto a Youtube video of some Xavier basketball players. Don't ask me how. They were freaking hilarious though. Basically, they are "walk-ons" or guys who aren't scholarship players. They self-proclaimed themselves as the "three-headed monster". LOL. I couldn't help but crack a smile, and I was definitely taken aback by their upbeat, joyful attitudes. They were simply thankful to be part of the team, thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of a community. Anyways, after this video, I was reminded to be thankful myself for the same things and ditch the negatory attitude as soon as possible. Pretty inspiring if I'd say so.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Stream of Continuous Living
Just as we physically feel dirty everyday and thus require ourselves to shower, we must also similarly be washed and renewed in the blood of Christ daily. His blood became our water. His death became our life.
Sometimes I try not to shower for as long as I can, as nasty as that sounds. You might be able to relate... (maybe) hahaha. It's not that I don't want to, but the motivations for me to shower usually have to push me hard enough out of my usual tendencies towards laziness and contentment with being dirty. I might only shower when it is absolutely necessary- like when I think that others might begin to take notice, or when I finally can't stand walking around in my own sweat anymore after exercise. Can anyone relate? The majority of guys I know are like this... I can't speak for the girls, but I definitely know my fair share who are.
The problem is, I often approach my walk with Christ this way too. The things that bring me back to Christ have similarly been for the eyes of others or when the overbearing guilt of my own sins eventually becomes too much. I might go about, doing whatever I want, giving into my passions and flesh throughout the day. When I come home, I'll distract myself for hours upon hours, knowing in the back of my mind that my soul actually thirsts to spend time with the Living God instead... However, I continue in the things that I feel like I have to do first, and essentially put my life with God last.
Is this wrong? Does Jesus Christ close His arms to me when I keep living my life this way? NO. NEVER. In fact, his arms are open wide.
See? It's renewal that I'm lacking. It's the reliance and dependence that I'm missing. It's the opportunity to put every day in the "good" column, simply because I am living my life for Christ again (for that day), that is absent. Although I am still able to arbitrarily walk with God throughout the day, and worship Him in the things I do, it becomes wearisome after a while without renewal! It then becomes burdensome, if not outright impossible! The dirt in my heart begins to build up and my motivations for coming to Christ slowly become different. Perhaps, one day a portion of my messed up character might show out to someone, causing my fear of man to kick in again, or I might become so bogged down with guilt because of my various sins, that I'll finally begin to cry out for help.
I believe that the Christ is the only one who can bring new motivations into my heart. I have to remember that it isn't the act of touching His robe (synonymous to daily renewal) that changes me, heals me, or forgives me, but it's because of Jesus Christ himself. What do I mean by that? The act of daily renewal has power because the renewal is through Christ.
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
Sometimes I try not to shower for as long as I can, as nasty as that sounds. You might be able to relate... (maybe) hahaha. It's not that I don't want to, but the motivations for me to shower usually have to push me hard enough out of my usual tendencies towards laziness and contentment with being dirty. I might only shower when it is absolutely necessary- like when I think that others might begin to take notice, or when I finally can't stand walking around in my own sweat anymore after exercise. Can anyone relate? The majority of guys I know are like this... I can't speak for the girls, but I definitely know my fair share who are.
The problem is, I often approach my walk with Christ this way too. The things that bring me back to Christ have similarly been for the eyes of others or when the overbearing guilt of my own sins eventually becomes too much. I might go about, doing whatever I want, giving into my passions and flesh throughout the day. When I come home, I'll distract myself for hours upon hours, knowing in the back of my mind that my soul actually thirsts to spend time with the Living God instead... However, I continue in the things that I feel like I have to do first, and essentially put my life with God last.
Is this wrong? Does Jesus Christ close His arms to me when I keep living my life this way? NO. NEVER. In fact, his arms are open wide.
See? It's renewal that I'm lacking. It's the reliance and dependence that I'm missing. It's the opportunity to put every day in the "good" column, simply because I am living my life for Christ again (for that day), that is absent. Although I am still able to arbitrarily walk with God throughout the day, and worship Him in the things I do, it becomes wearisome after a while without renewal! It then becomes burdensome, if not outright impossible! The dirt in my heart begins to build up and my motivations for coming to Christ slowly become different. Perhaps, one day a portion of my messed up character might show out to someone, causing my fear of man to kick in again, or I might become so bogged down with guilt because of my various sins, that I'll finally begin to cry out for help.
I believe that the Christ is the only one who can bring new motivations into my heart. I have to remember that it isn't the act of touching His robe (synonymous to daily renewal) that changes me, heals me, or forgives me, but it's because of Jesus Christ himself. What do I mean by that? The act of daily renewal has power because the renewal is through Christ.
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9:23-25)
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