Appreciating Creation

God is so good! I've been recently just taking in the world around me. I've been noticing that as much as God is huge and powerful, He is incredibly intricate and detailed as well. He's the best Artist there is and He's doing it for us.

I was reading Mere Christianity the other day and C.S. Lewis mentions how we generally write many things off for being simple ...while in fact they are not quite so. They're not simple at all. That little tree in your front yard is composed of trillions of different cells and atoms and things we can't even see. Man do I take things for granted. The world around me is amazing and detailed by God. He did it for us.

It's cool to take that in. He did it for us. Because He loves us. I have a hard time thinking that God loves me and I have a hard time even feeling His love. But just going for a stroll outside should remind me of this. He couldn't be more obvious in saying it to me! Look at the beauty of his creation! Appreciate it! Cherish it. Thank you God for a glimpse of your glory that you've instilled in nature. Thank you for loving me.


This last picture is of "Havasu Falls" in Arizona. I think it's in the Grand Canyon national state park and I would DIE to go there! Road trip anyone?

Excerpt!

Worth the few minutes to read!

"Another possible objection is this. Why is God landing in the enemy-occupied world in disguise and starting a sort of secret society to undermine the devil? Why is He not landing in force, invading it? Is it that He is not strong enough? Well, Christians think He is going to land in force; we do not know when. But we can guess why He is delaying. He wants to give us the chance of joining His side freely.....God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to interfere openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on to the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right: but what is good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else - something it never entered your head to conceive - comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left? For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last for ever. We must take it or leave it."

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis

What's My Desire

These aren't my words. Just a journal post taken from www.unitedpursuit.wordpress.com

"Small desires, big desires, faint desires, deep desires…we have hidden desires, some have bold desires. And we dark desires. No matter what the state of our desires is, there will always be one to trump them all. It’s the desire of God the Father to give His son a pure and spotless bride. This bride will be glorious, fit for the King’s son. The long road to beauty is where we find our earth; it’s where you and I are right now. Everything single part of our lives finds it’s meaning by God’s supreme desire. Jesus is looking for those to respond to His perfect invitation of love. He is not looking for perfection. You see, if you respond, His Spirit will come. He will dive deep into your very core, changing you from within. This is the journey to our wedding day. God will find a bride for His Son. This is the story of planet earth. The question I hear God asking us today is are we striving to make our own story on the earth, or are we joining the story we were created for?"

Things I love about Pigeon Forge, TN

Spending a second summer in one of the most prominent tourist traps in the country has me reflecting and taking into great appreciation how much I really love this area. Here are some reasons why.

1.) Mountains, mountains, mountains! The Smokey's are gorgeous and only about 15 minutes from where I live. And! they live up to their name. It's amazing to see how smoke settles around them and gives them an incredibly majestic and mysterious feel. I grew up by the beach so I always considered myself a beach boy, but ever since coming here my persona is truly changing to love the mountains moreso than the ocean.

2.) Dollywood. As much as work there is difficult and annoying and hard..it's great. Dolly is our slavedriver, but she rules this town and it has bloomed into one of the most cheesy places ever. And it's amazing. I doubt though that I would love this place half as much as I do unless a chunk of my friends were here hanging out.


That's all for now. More reasons to love Pigeon Forge, to come. . . .

Elenowen

I absolutely LOVE this band "Elenowen" I first heard about them last summer when I was in Tennessee. My friend Jacob introduced them to me because like EVERYONE in Murfreesboro, where he's from, knows about them. Josh and Nicole Johnson are a married couple who make up the band. They love Jesus and love each other. And it's SO evident. They were recently on the show the Voice. Check them out, because they are going places with their lovely harmonies and ambient/indie rock sounds.

A Travelin' Ambition

Often lately i've been talking with my Dad about traveling. Why? Because it's is what I LONG do so much in my life and he, being a retired Navy Master Chief, knows so much about the world. I've taken to looking at a few different options for after school. I could teach english abroad. I could look for a basic job. I could simply save a lot in the mean time and just go explore. The options are endless. I really I want to spend time somewhere for a year and THEN come back to the States and go to graduate school. I have thought about Spain because I speak Spanish, but Im not going to let that restrict..I can seriously go wherever I want. Ultimately my dream job would be to work for the State Department of the U.S.!! But I need to definitely go to grad school and build my resume first! What's interesting for me...is that all this talk of the future and a career is becoming more and more natural. Great. I've become more of an adult.

Why do I have so much drive to travel and see the world? I was recently talking to my friend Janice ( pronounced Juh-niece ) and I was telling her how I desire to see the world, other places and cultures so, so much! And she told me how that's cool but stuff like that is totally not for her. She's scared to even leave Norfolk and come 20 minutes to Chesapeake! Hahaha, as funny as that may be it's Janice's personal preference. It's cool to see how people can be different. It caught me off guard because I guess I foolishly assume everyone has the same wants and ambitions as me. For myself, though, traveling has ALWAYS been apart of my life. I remember when my dad was on Navy Deployments we would track where in the world he was with stickers and thumb tacks on a huge map. Also due to the fact that i'm a Navy kid i've had the pleasure of living in five different states. And finally my freaking mom is from a whole different country! That brings into our house different and unique customs and traditions. Foreign things basically help make up who I am! I know I jokingly joke about being half asian and whatnot, but to be honest it's cool being apart of a different world and engaging it.

I really don't know what I was getting at in this blogpost, but I am going to see the world and i'll do whatever it takes! My mission starts now!

Plans

Plans turned UPSIDE down for this summer. More to follow. Wow! Let's see where this goes!

Hooot! I am a Night Owl

Seriously it is just about 3am and I'm writing. My best deliberations come around this time though. What can I say? I don't hate it! haha.

So I hate to state the cliché statement, but YOU GUYS! I am a SENIOR!! And boy has time the time flown. I can distinctly remember the day I moved into my freshman dorm as a first year student. I remember the awkward first encounter of meeting my first roommate! Yall, I literally went to shake his hand "Hi, i'm Ke..." and I step on one of plastics bins carrying some of my books and I almost trip. Sorry, Corey, for making a fool of myself. What a first impression. So many moments! I can sharply recall going to the crowded club fair, going to the dining hall alone on numerous occasions, the difficulty of trying to shake off my shy temperament, the harsh reality that people my age cuss much more frequently than i'm used to, the day when there was tye dying on the Great lawn, the times i often left my vital CNU id in my room, the few times when we played speed scrabble in the hall York West 2b, the times when I went to and IV small group and didn't say a word. So many wonderful and honestly, rough, moments.

I love reminiscing. And i HAVE mentioned this before but it is ever so true. But I reminisce and reflect often because for me it allows for a great sense of appreciation and love. I turn to God and simply say "wow, Jesus" . Through tough times and amazing times you were there. And look at me now. Look at the change and growth. (i hope I have matured some ;) It gives me Hope too, for the future and all that is to come in my life. With my career, with friendships, with my family. I can look back and tell myself that HE always was and is and is to come. The Lord of everything is rooting for me.

I don't want to be sad. I'm kind of going into this summer a little sad. I feel like i've lost some opportunities and I have only a year to catch up on it all. It's going to be difficult but i'm going to try my hardest to go into senior year without any expectations. I want to take whatever I encounter and make the best out of it. This is my time to not waste chances and to not hesitate and put myself out there. I have a final year in college to live it up, to love, to grow, to enjoy time with people who are just trying to get through school and life. This is it and it's coming. Senior year is at my doorstep.

Oh "community"

I find myself time and time again being let down by friends. Don't get me wrong, I love my friends and people in general so much! I love encouraging my friends, joking with my friends, and being silly and stupid with my friends. And that's all really good, but that could also possibly be my problem. If you're a christian and in a relationship with God, friends and that infamous word 'community' are SO vital to you. You need other christians/followers of christ/jesus lovers around you. They help you grow and learn and make your christian walk better. But for me and i'm sure for some others, Community can be an idol. And a hindrance. I often find myself angry and hurt and jealous and discontent. I long for something or someone that I don't have. I want to be in and not out. I want to be "tight" with so and so. All of these aspects have sprung out of my desire for community. Sometimes I want just want to scream from all the negativity I accumulate. I know some of this doesn't sound like me, but it's true.

This is something I am battling every single day. What others think of me. Who I can impress and make think that i'm really cool or funny. It's a huge stumbling block and I really wrestle hard with it.

I think God is trying to show me that He wants me to start loving him more. I need to make Him my idol. He created me and will love me more than ANY other single thing or person in this world. We absolutely as Christians need other christians for help and growth. BUT if I put my significance in others thinking im the shit (sorry haha), i'm missing the point completely. I must become less and he must become more. I want to be consumed with this saying and I want my life to reflect Jesus and not myself. I don't want to be selfish, but selfless.

That's all I have. I want to reiterate that I love my friends so much, BUT I need to NOT make impressing them, or making them laugh, or their friendships in general, an idol.

No Worry Summer

What to do? I love looking back at old posts and remembering things that went on. And how poor my writing was. *Sigh* But one post I distinctly remember is the post about me going to TENNESSEE last summer. I was so nervous and unsure and scared. That summer consisted of a full time job and full time christian fellowship and full time amazingness...and was the best set of three hot months that i've ever had. And I was worried. So here I am again a little worried about what's going to happen this summer. I have a lot of things in mind. I thought about doing Discipleship Focus (last summer) again but I feel God leading me away from it. It was the best summer ever, but I know I have more to experience before my final year in College. That FREAKS me out saying that. I am soo not ready to graduate and move on! Phew. Why does time have to fly so fast?

Options for this summer, could be one, none or all. HOPEFULLY all:





Rockbridge with IV for the last time perhaps? It's an amazing week and I want to go. $$'s always an issue. Also possibly Rockbridge for 2 weeks of working summer staff at the end of August.
Cadiz, Spain. SPAIN? what?! yep. I really want to do a study abroad program through CNU. 3 weeks. homestay. improved spanish. amazing experience. and 6, yes 6 CREDITS. I really pray I can make this possible.
NorthBay. like 5 days to go to camp with Wyldlife kids. Something that I know will be such a fun and good experience. hope I can make it!
AND FINALLY some form of employment that will be flexible with me going to these places and doing these things!!

Prayer please. for big stuff and exciting stuff. :) And for no worry. God is good, always.

Scandalous, eh?

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

scan·dal·ous (skndl-s)
adj.
1. Causing scandal; shocking
2. Containing material damaging to reputation; defamatory:

Scandalous indeed.

This week at Wyldlife Club on Thursday afternoon I'm giving a talk about the Cross and how Jesus took our sins woop woop!! - Bringing some good news to some middle school friends!! Im nervous but it'll be great



Gildersleeve Middle School

A Due Thanks

My Church back home in Va Beach was able to help me pay for the missions trip to Newark this year. God is ALWAYS good. And even if I didn't get money for this trip he would still be good.

I'm excited to be stripped away this coming week. This trip is something i've done every year since being in college and I haven't regretted it since..well maybe once the last day last year when I was vomitting incessantly, but that probably won't happen again right? Anyways this trip is so humbling. Every time it strips me down and reminds me that I AM SO blessed and fortunate and that others aren't. We did this song last night at IV and it's a good expression of what we all need to ask of God for our lives.

Strip away all that remains
For Your glory and Your Name
'til there's nothing left of me
Burn the kingdoms I have made
That You would shine and I would fade
'til there's nothing left of me
'til there's nothing left of me

Video of a recap of our time in Newark last year: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=358674812191

Up in the air

Dear God,

Please provide a way for me to go to Newark this spring break. I need money. You know this. Please.

Amen

Ramblings

I love how my thoughts seem to seep out more prominently late at night. This post doesn't have much direction, just spilling things out. Read if you so desire :)

This past weekend I went on Intervarsity's Chapter Retreat and had an a amazing time! I expected nothing less :) One negative thing though: got a massive rug burn on my right knee that has developed into several chunks of scabs that make it difficult to walk without having me wince in slight pain. Gross I know. What's even more hysterical is watching me trying to ride a bike, pushing the left pedal over and over because I can't bend my right knee enough to pedal that side. It's terrible..I feel like I broke a bone or something, nope only a scabby scab in just the wrong spot.

Aside from that problem...chapter retreat and its goodness. It really means a lot to me that trip. My freshman year I was really struggling to make friends up until that weekend in february. I wasn't even planning on going until a friend from high school (who also goes to CNU) really urged me to, the night of one Intervarsity large group. "Hey are you going on the retreat this weekend?" "I don't think so man, I don't really know anyone." "Uh you know me. Don't worry i'll take you, be ready to leave around 5 and i'll pick you up." ...It's simple gestures like that that make a big difference in someone's life. If my friend hadn't been persistent in trying to get me to come, I wouldn't have made so many friendships, I wouldn't have broken out of my shell a little more, I wouldn't have been able to step into the amazing group of Christian fellowship that CNU has. I'm so thankful for that. Don't ever overlook the simple gestures.

Another rambling that's been floating around my mind recently is THIS summer. What in the WORLD can I do? Praise Jesus I have a good living situation lined up for next year with bros who love the Lord like me. But after this semester and before that one..what in the world can I do? Im really looking for something that can tie in to my major: Spanish. Internship abroad is what i am REALLY feelin. Who know's, but I've got to get on the ball. Time is indeed flying.

That's all really. Just a quick splurge of a blogpost. School is going well. God is good. And you're a great friend for reading all this.

Do you really want what you ask for?

I wanted to keep up with this blog first and foremost because I really, truly believe it's good for someone to jot down their thoughts on their everyday lives. Very good in fact. But to be honest It's been difficult. How can I find something interesting and exciting to type when I all I do is go to college and take classes? Should I really vomit up some info from a spanish class and tell people about Mr. Mariano Jose de Larra and how his sarcastic short story entitled "Vuelva Usted Mañana" (Return Tomorrow) depicts the stereotypically lazy lifestyle of the average spanish person?? Uhhh No thank you.

So I was just really wishing for something to write about, something more than boring ole' college classes. And boy did I get what I asked for.

On Tuesday night (I believe it was) I went to the library to record a dialogue with a friend for a Spanish 308 assignment. Simple enough. But almost everytime I go the TribLib I think of my captain's card that holds dining dollars on it and I slowly but surely convince myself into buying a tasty coffee from the wonderful Einstein's cafe. A terrible habit. So, after almost finishing our recording Aubrie and I were chatting it up a little before parting, and I unfortunately make a move that tops the charts on the Most Clumsy Moments Ever list. Reaching for a pen on the left hand side of my computer, I knock my cup of coffee onto the keyboard of my Macbook. Ahhh!! screams through my mind. I grab my computer as quick as possible and tilt it upside down trying to shake out as much of the dark aromatic liquid as possible. Fortunately my cup was almost empty but I would guess a good handful went into the computer. So after a few frantic moments we clean up the mess and part. The screen had flickered on and off before so I was praying on the way home that all would be alright with it. Prayin hard.

On to part deux of the story. To put it bluntly, my roommates and I were late on paying for our gas bill. Darn living in a house off campus that proves much responsibility will indeed by required! Growing is a learning process yes it is. Thus upon returning home our house was freezing and my negative disposition grew. The next few days felt like torture! A college kid with no computer and having to go to sleep bundled up in sweatpants and big sweatshirt isn't the most fun situation to be in. Complaining was not an uncommon occurence.

But Fortunately my week is done and I can say all is good.. After a few days of drying my computer in front of a heater and not turning it on, it is seemingly working just fine, praise the Lawd. Also, we got our bill payed and heat is presently filling the house. God is good.

I'll definitely be cautious of I what I wish for in the future ;)

Think, kid.

I love how just putting my headphones in and turning up the volume of a particular song can get my thoughts going. That could be one of my most favorite things ever, sitting and reflecting.

So I start another semester at this amazing school that continues to help me learn, grow, and form who I am. I wondered if I should share the following information about my life, but alas I feel it may need to be said, even if I'm the only one who may read it. I almost didn't come back to CNU this semester. For financial reasons, kind of. So for a good few days at home in Chesapeake over Winter Break I had a lot of thinking to do. I had not been so upset in a long time. The thoughts of how much I would lose if the return to CNU wasn't going to happen for me, whirled through my head. As much as it made me sad, it made me think. It made me think of the future and how much more I need to be planning out my life and my career and i'll admit it...the future's a little scary :) But there comes a time when we have to all grow up, like it or not...I'll never ever forget my dad's vast array of tough-love quotes, but one specifically rings a bell in my head right now: "Life's hard, but it's harder if you're stupid".

That's my main priority right now. To learn. To study my butt off! To take what God has given me and throw my best efforts at it...and currently that's school. An expensive school. What an opportunity huh? In soo many places throughout the world this is just plain not possible. At times I like to take a step back and look at my life. Kev you are blessed man! Do something with it! I have to admit that laziness, sloth, apathy or whatever you may call it..is a big problem I have and I hate it. I get so caught up with things that do not matter.

This is what i'm tackling now. I want so, so much to go out and see the world. I want to get out there and change lives! And these things will come I think. I just need to do what's before me, now though. Isaiah 40:31 - " But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Oh and trust me I am waiting. I am trusting in His plan. The only good one. I'm thinking and going to be working hard. Jesus is working up a storm in my life and I can feel it. It's for the best and have such firm confidence in that. In His goodness.

Reassurance I think is found in my past. Do you ever just stop and look back at all the good that's occurred in your life? Try and do that some time. Count your blessings. Count them twice over.