Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Check, Ch-Ch-Ch-Check It Out

I am finally pretty much done for this week as far as classes go. I mean, I actually have three tomorrow, but there's nothing due, and looking at the syllabi, it should be an overall easy day. Then BCM, then I'm heading home, for the first time this semester. Last weekend was a rough one with papers and studying for tests earlier this week, so I'm ready to go home and relax.

I also found a great resource for when I'm feeling a little down (this weekend it was from writing so much). Craigslist Rants and Raves. They're incredibly hilarious. And a pretty effective self-confidence boost. A lot of those people can't form complete thoughts, much less clear, understandable sentences. It really makes me feel better about myself, especially since I usually think I'm a bad writer.

And here's just a pretty sweet video I found on YouTube. Check it out and be glad it isn't you.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Where to?

It is hard when things start to change. I'm open to advice on this one, if any of the 1 or 2 people who read this have an opinion.

God asked me to commit to a ministry, so I did, and I did so whole-heartedly (sp?). But I no longer feel like it is what I'm supposed to be doing in the future. I'm having trouble discerning whether it is my own personal preferences or if God is telling me that I've played my part in this particular place. I also have to keep in mind that I committed for the duration of the school year. It has really been bothering me over the past few days, and I don't seem to be moving any closer to a resolution. So any advice or feedback would be awesome. Or prayer. That's pretty important too.

Monday, February 2, 2009

So, the new semester is in full swing, and it seems like it will be better than last semester (which is good). Classes are not too bad (so far) and it is nice to be back with my friends. In other news, my band, Sleep Set (www.myspace.com/sleepset), is going into the studio over the next week, week and a half, to record a five song demo/EP type deal. It should be fun, and I can't wait for people to start hearing what we've been playing. So that's pretty cool.

Ok, now that the recap's over, on to my recent thoughts.

Last night at the RUF Super Bowl party, I was sitting near some people that went to high school and/or church with me. We started talking about high school in general, and then we moved on to youth groups at our churches and how the churches were doing now. Looking back on my years in youth group now, I realized that youth group had a lot to do with the person I am right now. Our youth group was basically a revolving door for youth pastors and interim pastors and no leaders, which made us really self-reliant. We pretty much ran everything and had nobody pouring back into us. (Now, that's not to say that we didn't have Sunday School teachers and people supervising us on Wednesdays or speakers or anything. And there were a couple people that did everything they could and probably more than they should for us, but they had "real" jobs and couldn't devote time or energy overall. And I am more than grateful to those who were there for us.) After having this conversation and hearing about what had happened at my friend's church, I realized how much negative influence those years have had on my life.

I was so burnt out after high school, that I have never since been able to fully give myself to anything.

Our numbers in youth group fell so much that I am terrified of being the person in a leadership position.

Not having an adult to lean on has made me untrusting of the people in charge of the different things that I'm involved with.

All these things kinda became clear after talking with my friends last night. And I'm not trying to make excuses or explain away my actions or saying that those are the sole causes of my behavior - I just want to be held accountable for trying to change those things about me. I don't want to live the rest of my life with all of that hanging over my head. So, please, tell me step out and trust God. Call me out if I try to do something halfway. Help me be the man God wants me to be.

One other thing I learned from youth group is that friends will always be there for you. So I thank God for my friends. For the real, deep, lasting relationships that I have been given. For the people who know who I am and hang out with me anyway. Thank you.