Bigger than my body gives me credit for.

I think one of the most beautiful things about the Gospel is the fact that it allows us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Once we are brought into right standing with God through the person and work of Jesus Christ, we are taken from living an existence built entirely around ourselves busily trying to carve out a kingdom for our own fame, and swept into something bigger, more extravagant, and eternally lasting. The Gospel sweeps us away into something that has been in motion since before the dawn of time and is, in fact, the driving force behind all of history. Namely, the reconciliation of creation with its Creator and the glorification of God in all things.

I was reminded of this several times today in little ways that I am a part of something that has been in motion long before I took my first breath and will continue to be long after I cease to breath and I find a great deal of comfort in that.

The Last Ten Years....

Today was one of those days where I didn't wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I woke up on the weird side of the bed. You know, one of those days where everything seems like a dream you can't wake up from...., I always find myself stuck between apathy and second guessing myself on these kinds of days. I usually wish I could go back to my sophomore or junior year of high school and redo the last 10 or 11 years of my life. I have this crazy idea that if I could that somehow I do things "right" and by the time I got to be 27 again my life wouldn't be such a mess. But I realized something today, that even if I could go back I have no idea what I would do. Which is encouraging and scary at the same time. On the one hand it's nice to know that I haven't jacked things up so bad that there's some major thing I wish I could undo, but at the same time I'm almost 28 and I still have no idea what direction to take entirely, which is not really a happy thought. I actually laughed out loud when I realized this earlier today. That if I could go back, I'm not sure I'd change anything and even if I did I'm not sure it wouldn't make my life even more messier then it already is. Or, I could have a successful looking life, but be dieing on the inside. So I guess the bottom line is I'm not thrilled with my life, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to risk going back and changing it either.

I have a two year plan! (We'll see how long this lasts.) :)

I've decided what to do with myself for the next two years. In January I'm going to move on campus at Ball State (Go Cards!) and finish my B.A. in History. Lord willing assuming everything goes the way it should, (Emphasis on SHOULD) I'll graduate ether in the fall of 2009 or spring of 2010. After that I get to try and figure out what do next. (again) I have some ideas but two years is a long time which means almost everything will have changed by then so we'll just see what happens.

Also I moved back in with mom and dad this past week because, well it's a long story but the bottom line is I had to go somewhere and they were the best option.

Which is why I'm sitting in Panera typing this. Besides the fact that it's a good excuse to get a blueberry scone. Who thought up the word "scone" all it really is is a triangle shaped biscuit. But anybody who knows anything about marketing knows the name triangle shaped biscuit just isn't going to sell, so we have scone. (It just sounds British doesn't it? I swear I'd break out in an accent right now, except I'm drinking Pepsi with it which is probably my saving grace.) Yes boys and girls, Pepsi and blueberry scones, the breakfast of champions. lol :)

Well I should probably get a move on, I still have things to do today, ciao.

What it's really like to be grown up

Today was one of those days that you never think about as a kid. You know, the days when being a grown up is "boring." I went grocery shopping, cleaned the dishes, took out the trash, and still have to go to work tonight. (Yes, kids it's one big party. WOO-HOO!) :) The highlight of the day was making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and watching Chuck on Hulu. I enjoyed it though mostly 'cause it makes me laugh to think about how naive I was as a kid. Somehow I envisioned myself going to parties every night of the week and just hanging out being "cool", whatever that meant. Now my idea of cool is getting wheat bread buy one get one free. I almost did the happy dance right there in the bakery isle. Until I remembered that a.) I'm white b.) it's just bread and c.) I'm in the middle of Mejier.



Thinking about doing "boring" stuff reminds me of Acts 16:11-12.(No, I'm not a freak of nature I just read it a day or two ago.) Luke gives what seems to be really pointless information about their traveling. "So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days" - ESV. I'm always struck by how mundane this all sounds. Why is this even in the Bible? Are Paul's traveling habit's that important? But I stop and think about what the Bible is all about, Jesus, and it takes a slightly different appearance. Jesus was there with them in the middle of all that. The boring, everyday, unexciting routine of life. Just like He was there with me while I was shopping for bread, washing dishes, and eating PB&J. Also the fact that they were able to do all that uneventfully shows God's protection. They didn't get caught in any major storms, pirates didn't attack their ship, and nobody got sea sick. Similarly today I didn't get in a wreck, cut or poke myself doing the dishes, and I'm very thankful that I'm not allergic to peanuts. So really far from being boring this is actually a fairly comforting passage. It shows that God is always there with us not just when there's some big miracle, but when we're able to get out of bed in the morning and make it through a whole day without anything seriously awful happening that's cause for praise too.

First "real" post

I was going to go hear Brian McLaren speak tonight but...., I was tired and I didn't want to see him that bad anyway.

It never fails to amaze me how things can change so fast. Just when I thought I knew what all my options were a new one shows up on my doorstep. How nice. Some times I feel like my life is God's own personal Comedy Central. That's not a complaint, just an observation. (Be honest, you've felt like that some time today.) :) Anyway, please pray for me I could have a big life change coming up.

I'm reading an amazing book right now by John Stott titled "The Living Church." It is by far the best book on what the church should look like that I've read. Stott takes both sides of the argument and blends them amazingly well, very impressive.

It's almost time for the last episode of Scrubs to come on. (Not a not a huge fan, but I like it and it is the last show ever.) Then The Office and then get ready for work. (Third shift's the bomb.) :)

Later all.