I had the chance to go to the MERGE conference this past week. What an experience. It was inspiring, to say the least. I could see the gears start turning in the heads of the students. Suddenly, they were confronted with things that didn't quite make sense and were forced to ask questions. We all found ways that we connected to the stories of the Bible and ways that we identified with the characters.
It was a refreshing week of re-connecting with God and connecting with the students. We all realized how much we have in common with one another and with the people of the Bible. We all grew in a deeper understanding of what it means to follow God in our screwed up human state.
I encourage you to check out some of the stories from the week at www.echothestory.com.
7.27.2007
7.11.2007
Across Mexican Deserts
After spending a week in Mexico while building houses, I have learned quite a bit about God, myself, and other people.
First, God is enough. There is nothing except God. God is all I need. As long as I rely on God, He will provide my earthly needs. He is my source of life, not myself. When I rely on myself, I lose focus of God, and my life becomes moot.
Second, other people... They are quite useful. I cannot function alone. This is something I know, but I don't always practice. Sure, I know other people are useful, but I always depend on myself until I cannot anymore. I need to start relying on other people from the get-go to help me. People teach you how to be a better person. It's totally okay to see a good quality in someone and attempt to emulate it.
Third, is myself. I have learned the place of suffering in life. Suffering is designed to make one rely on God and others. When you suffer, you realize just how insignificant you are by yourself. It is only when you allow yourself to be used within the greater picture that you become important. One man cannot build a house alone. It would be foolish to try. In the same way, on man cannot live life alone. People are made for community, and that means not being some bigshot, go-it-alone kind of person. Through the trials I experienced in Mexico, I have realized how the Body works together in a more intricate way. Though we cannot understand God, we can understand the Body. We can understand how the Body should work and take appropriate measures to reach that function.
These are just some of the many things that my half-cooked brain discovered while in the deserts of Mexico. Take it for what it is. Perhaps we can all learn something from one another...
First, God is enough. There is nothing except God. God is all I need. As long as I rely on God, He will provide my earthly needs. He is my source of life, not myself. When I rely on myself, I lose focus of God, and my life becomes moot.
Second, other people... They are quite useful. I cannot function alone. This is something I know, but I don't always practice. Sure, I know other people are useful, but I always depend on myself until I cannot anymore. I need to start relying on other people from the get-go to help me. People teach you how to be a better person. It's totally okay to see a good quality in someone and attempt to emulate it.
Third, is myself. I have learned the place of suffering in life. Suffering is designed to make one rely on God and others. When you suffer, you realize just how insignificant you are by yourself. It is only when you allow yourself to be used within the greater picture that you become important. One man cannot build a house alone. It would be foolish to try. In the same way, on man cannot live life alone. People are made for community, and that means not being some bigshot, go-it-alone kind of person. Through the trials I experienced in Mexico, I have realized how the Body works together in a more intricate way. Though we cannot understand God, we can understand the Body. We can understand how the Body should work and take appropriate measures to reach that function.
These are just some of the many things that my half-cooked brain discovered while in the deserts of Mexico. Take it for what it is. Perhaps we can all learn something from one another...
6.25.2007
Forgive Us Our Sins
Forgiveness hurts. It hurts when you find out someone you trust and love dearly does something wrong against you. Whether it's a close friend, a family member, a boyfriend/girlfriend, or a spouse, forgiving someone so precious to you hurts. Our human nature doesn't want to forgive. It would much rather take revenge, make them pay for what they've done. After all, how could they have done that to you/me?
Then I remember the forgiveness I've received from the Father. When I didn't deserve it, it was there for me. When I should be eternally dead and separated from God, Christ brought us to righteousness. "Forgive as the LORD forgave you" (Colossians 3:13). But it hurts when we keep asking for forgiveness. It breaks the heart of God when we've made our commitment but renege on that commitment. He loves us that much. Having just a little glimpse on His sorrow and disappointment makes me appreciate my forgiveness even more.
"The beauty about grace is that it makes life unfair." -Relient K
Then I remember the forgiveness I've received from the Father. When I didn't deserve it, it was there for me. When I should be eternally dead and separated from God, Christ brought us to righteousness. "Forgive as the LORD forgave you" (Colossians 3:13). But it hurts when we keep asking for forgiveness. It breaks the heart of God when we've made our commitment but renege on that commitment. He loves us that much. Having just a little glimpse on His sorrow and disappointment makes me appreciate my forgiveness even more.
"The beauty about grace is that it makes life unfair." -Relient K
6.22.2007
Prayer
i find that being a college student seems to make it harder to pray. maybe it's just all the stuff that i have going on in my life. Whatever it is, i always have something else to do besides pray. i make excuses as to why the internet or tv are more important that God. honestly, it's become something i've noticed among people as a whole. why is it that we make it such a burden to pray to our Father in Heaven?
i once heard a guy say that if we want to understand God better, we need to pray. if you spend 30 minutes with someone everyday, they eventually become your best friend. why? you know them intimately because you invest in getting to know them. that's the way prayer is. if you invest your time into prayer, you'll understand more about God.
i will admit, i have been praying more recently. it's still not as much as i'd like to pray, but we're taking baby steps to get there. as i pray more, i will become a better friend, christian, boyfriend, and person because i will understand God and His plan for my life.
i once heard a guy say that if we want to understand God better, we need to pray. if you spend 30 minutes with someone everyday, they eventually become your best friend. why? you know them intimately because you invest in getting to know them. that's the way prayer is. if you invest your time into prayer, you'll understand more about God.
i will admit, i have been praying more recently. it's still not as much as i'd like to pray, but we're taking baby steps to get there. as i pray more, i will become a better friend, christian, boyfriend, and person because i will understand God and His plan for my life.
6.20.2007
Being A Good Husband (but not yet)
How can I be a good husband? How can I pursue my future wife and make her feel loved?
These are just a couple of things I'm trying to process in my life right now. It's hard to know how to pursue a significant other who is 1500 miles away. My fiancee is in Miami while I'm in Cedar Rapids for almost the rest of the year. We're both on this extensive internship for school, and it's just really hard to communicate via phone and email. It also doesn't help that I don't have a lot of spare cash to send her things in the mail. I really wish I could do things like that, but it's just so hard.
I am writing letters. I promised to write letters every week, but that hasn't happened. I'm about three weeks late on that. Maybe this could be the turning point for me. Maybe I can be worthy to be called her future husband. Until then, I have to keep learning what it is that makes her feel loved and how I can satisfy that from 1500 miles.
These are just a couple of things I'm trying to process in my life right now. It's hard to know how to pursue a significant other who is 1500 miles away. My fiancee is in Miami while I'm in Cedar Rapids for almost the rest of the year. We're both on this extensive internship for school, and it's just really hard to communicate via phone and email. It also doesn't help that I don't have a lot of spare cash to send her things in the mail. I really wish I could do things like that, but it's just so hard.
I am writing letters. I promised to write letters every week, but that hasn't happened. I'm about three weeks late on that. Maybe this could be the turning point for me. Maybe I can be worthy to be called her future husband. Until then, I have to keep learning what it is that makes her feel loved and how I can satisfy that from 1500 miles.
6.19.2007
Welcome
Welcome to all you fellow journeymen. I am Thomas (or "Tank," as some may call me). This is just a little place where I plan to chronicle what I'm learning in life, where I am in my spiritual journey, what I'm learning about God and ministry, and the like. This is my corner of the world to let everyone know where I am currently headed. Hopefully you can gain insight from my experiences as we walk this path together.
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