This doesn't feel like home. Aside from the places where I can see the ocean and trees, this place feels like any other place. It's not special, it's not home. My home is with those I care about, and they're in Chicago. It's a shame. Well, it's only my first official day here and I've already been dragged about the whole section of old San Juan Puerto Rico. I walked the whole thing, can't stand to be here, and yet I'm expected to be happy. Yeah, I'd rather not be here. I would rather have gotten a new laptop, or a bass, or guitar, or even give the whole thing to some charity than be here right now. And that may sound horrible, it may not, but that's how I feel. I wanna spend my whole day shut up inside the hotel room studying and reading all the time, everyday. But instead, I'm being forced to go sightseeing. And yeah, that may be what they brought me here for, and I may have a totally bad attitude about this whole trip, but I told them I didn't wanna come and that they didn't have to spend their money. But they forced me to come along anyways. So yeah, forced to come along on a trip I didn't wanna be on I was planning to just swim and study. Well, they won't let me study and there's no time to swim what with them dragging me along on these little stupid outings. I hate it. On the bright side? I've bought souveniers for Jason, Chris, Bethanne, Ted, James, and Allie. So I hope they'll enjoy them.
Roses are #FF0000, and I wanna be home.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My reactions and comments to the concepts of Harris
Ok. So here they are! My thoughts on part one of the book I kissed dating goodbye. The first one comes from chapter three, under the heading of bullet point three. It outlines the idea that dating oftentimes isolates the two people involved from their other friendships. While I strove not to allow this to happen, I think this is still a very important point. People in a romantic relationship often compromise their good activities such as studying, building good friendships, maybe even worship or things like that, just so that they can be together. That temptaition is real, and one would be a fool to not acknowledge that this effect is there. Joshua goes on to expand upon this and answer a few questions you may have about this, but for that you'll have to read the book. That's right: I like it enough to shamelessly plug it in my blog posts.
The next point is one that follows right after this one, also in chapter three but under point four. Here, Harris nails me right on the head in an illustration. He begins to expound upon the idea that, typically, dating distracts from preparation for life. Now while this may actually motivate you to do better and excel to give the best to your date when you're finally ready to marry, it can still suck away precious time that could've been used even better for those future preparations. The illustration Harris gave? I'll quote it here: "Christopher and Stephanie spent countless hours talking, writing, thinking, and often worrying about their relationship. The energy they exerted stole from other pursuits. For Christopher, the relationship drained his enthusiasm for his hobby computer programming and [thank goodness this part didn't happen to me] his involvement with the church's worship band." Talk about weird. Now, once again, there's a bit more to this than I say here, but that's for you to read.
Ok. Now the next point that struck me is from chapter four, under the third point. It's the idea that although you may truly love someone, the idea that you'll "someday" be getting married is bad, because realistically, in our young relationships (I'm talking the idea that we're [collectively as readers] not out of our first two years of college yet), we just aren't prepared enough to make that step. Am I saying dating is bad or that we shouldn't have relationships at this age? No. That's not what I'm saying, and not what I think Joshua Harris is advocating, but I do think that, as Harris believes (he's good at changing your ideas, if you're honest with yourself), unless you're ready to consider marriage or you're interested in marrying the person you're dating, it's selfish to ask them to fill your emotional or physical needs. Again, there is more expansion and there is that small bit of wiggle room in the idea that we all will probably have a few close relationships before we find the right person, but let's not use that as an excuse to just date anyone for any reason.
The final idea from section one that I find is a particularly good one is the idea that choosing to quit this detrimental dating style doesn't mean you remain single and lonely all your life. We can still pursue friendship, romance, and marriage, but in God's time and terms, not ours. And, as a segway, this also means that if we do things in his terms, not ours, we better give it our all, and not just part of what we could give.
Well, that's that post over with. For reference, I will try and post a lot next week because I still have that writing bug mentioned in my previous post. So be on the lookout. Well, in the meantime, Roses are #FF0000 (most of the time), and I'm excited.
The next point is one that follows right after this one, also in chapter three but under point four. Here, Harris nails me right on the head in an illustration. He begins to expound upon the idea that, typically, dating distracts from preparation for life. Now while this may actually motivate you to do better and excel to give the best to your date when you're finally ready to marry, it can still suck away precious time that could've been used even better for those future preparations. The illustration Harris gave? I'll quote it here: "Christopher and Stephanie spent countless hours talking, writing, thinking, and often worrying about their relationship. The energy they exerted stole from other pursuits. For Christopher, the relationship drained his enthusiasm for his hobby computer programming and [thank goodness this part didn't happen to me] his involvement with the church's worship band." Talk about weird. Now, once again, there's a bit more to this than I say here, but that's for you to read.
Ok. Now the next point that struck me is from chapter four, under the third point. It's the idea that although you may truly love someone, the idea that you'll "someday" be getting married is bad, because realistically, in our young relationships (I'm talking the idea that we're [collectively as readers] not out of our first two years of college yet), we just aren't prepared enough to make that step. Am I saying dating is bad or that we shouldn't have relationships at this age? No. That's not what I'm saying, and not what I think Joshua Harris is advocating, but I do think that, as Harris believes (he's good at changing your ideas, if you're honest with yourself), unless you're ready to consider marriage or you're interested in marrying the person you're dating, it's selfish to ask them to fill your emotional or physical needs. Again, there is more expansion and there is that small bit of wiggle room in the idea that we all will probably have a few close relationships before we find the right person, but let's not use that as an excuse to just date anyone for any reason.
The final idea from section one that I find is a particularly good one is the idea that choosing to quit this detrimental dating style doesn't mean you remain single and lonely all your life. We can still pursue friendship, romance, and marriage, but in God's time and terms, not ours. And, as a segway, this also means that if we do things in his terms, not ours, we better give it our all, and not just part of what we could give.
Well, that's that post over with. For reference, I will try and post a lot next week because I still have that writing bug mentioned in my previous post. So be on the lookout. Well, in the meantime, Roses are #FF0000 (most of the time), and I'm excited.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The night is always darkest before the dawn
And I seem to have finally hit dawn
I wanna write. Maybe a novel. An informative non-fiction. Who knows. I just wanna write. A bunch.
Well, I've hit some very Very good points in the book, and I've (I know, it was this important) actually dog-eared the pages. In case you don't know, that's close to pure evil in my book. But it was so necessary. I adore the words on those pages. But, you'll have to wait just a bit longer to hear what I have to say on those points. I'm saving it up for one big blog post, that will be here either tomorrow or Friday, so be on the lookout for it!
I purchased my KenKen book. Great little puzzles, you should check them out. I also just saw hp6. It was fair, but they left things out and put things in, just as I expected. But they left out bits I most defenitely wanted to see too, so I was dissapointed. Ah well. Well, I guess that's all for now. Until tomorrow (or Friday)!
I wanna write. Maybe a novel. An informative non-fiction. Who knows. I just wanna write. A bunch.
Well, I've hit some very Very good points in the book, and I've (I know, it was this important) actually dog-eared the pages. In case you don't know, that's close to pure evil in my book. But it was so necessary. I adore the words on those pages. But, you'll have to wait just a bit longer to hear what I have to say on those points. I'm saving it up for one big blog post, that will be here either tomorrow or Friday, so be on the lookout for it!
I purchased my KenKen book. Great little puzzles, you should check them out. I also just saw hp6. It was fair, but they left things out and put things in, just as I expected. But they left out bits I most defenitely wanted to see too, so I was dissapointed. Ah well. Well, I guess that's all for now. Until tomorrow (or Friday)!
Monday, July 13, 2009
I've got news for you
Ok. I've been searching for a song to describe exactly what I want to say to girls out there, and I think I've found it. So here goes, song by Andrew Peterson:
"So you think I’m something special, like I know a thing or two; like my eyes don’t ever wander, like my aim is always true. So you think I’m not a dirty rotten scoundrel through and through? Lady, I’ve got news for you.
So you think that you’re the only one to cry yourself to sleep? That you’re the only one who’s scared they all forget you when you leave? So you think that you’re the only one whose heart is black and blue? Listen, I’ve got news for you, for you. I might as well just tell you that it’s true, it’s true: listen, I’ve got news for you.
So you think you don’t need anyone to love you? So you think you don’t need anyone to love?
But you do.
So you say there is no hope. Maybe God is dead and gone. So you think that he can’t break a heart that’s harder than a stone. So you feel so wrecked and dirty he could never make you new. Man, have I got news for you, for you. I’m so compelled to tell you that it’s true, so true: listen, I’ve got news for you. I tell you I’ve got news for you.
I’ve got good news for you."
I think people need to realize that this is me. I'm imperfect. So when I stumble, don't be surprised, and don't resent me for it, and don't think I'm a hipocrite (I don't think anyone does think any of these things about me, but might as well be safe). I'm human. I'm not perfect.
Now, onto the book. I've read through the first two chapters, and although I already knew all of what was in there, I did rethink what was stated in those chapters. I'll elaborate on that in a later post though, when I have more time and have read more chapters. But suffice it to say that they do a lot to outline the current relational status of our nation, which is an attempt to have intimacy without commitment, which is why these relationship things in America fail for most people. According to the book, it rings hollow. And although I've never gone through these kinds of relationships, I know many people that have and it got me to thinking, this is so true. People just want the good feelings of a relationship, not bothering with trying to make the other person happy in a Godly manner.
"So you think I’m something special, like I know a thing or two; like my eyes don’t ever wander, like my aim is always true. So you think I’m not a dirty rotten scoundrel through and through? Lady, I’ve got news for you.
So you think that you’re the only one to cry yourself to sleep? That you’re the only one who’s scared they all forget you when you leave? So you think that you’re the only one whose heart is black and blue? Listen, I’ve got news for you, for you. I might as well just tell you that it’s true, it’s true: listen, I’ve got news for you.
So you think you don’t need anyone to love you? So you think you don’t need anyone to love?
But you do.
So you say there is no hope. Maybe God is dead and gone. So you think that he can’t break a heart that’s harder than a stone. So you feel so wrecked and dirty he could never make you new. Man, have I got news for you, for you. I’m so compelled to tell you that it’s true, so true: listen, I’ve got news for you. I tell you I’ve got news for you.
I’ve got good news for you."
I think people need to realize that this is me. I'm imperfect. So when I stumble, don't be surprised, and don't resent me for it, and don't think I'm a hipocrite (I don't think anyone does think any of these things about me, but might as well be safe). I'm human. I'm not perfect.
Now, onto the book. I've read through the first two chapters, and although I already knew all of what was in there, I did rethink what was stated in those chapters. I'll elaborate on that in a later post though, when I have more time and have read more chapters. But suffice it to say that they do a lot to outline the current relational status of our nation, which is an attempt to have intimacy without commitment, which is why these relationship things in America fail for most people. According to the book, it rings hollow. And although I've never gone through these kinds of relationships, I know many people that have and it got me to thinking, this is so true. People just want the good feelings of a relationship, not bothering with trying to make the other person happy in a Godly manner.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The colors hit the fan, and spread like my emotions.
Cornerstone was good. I picked up a bunch of cd's, a new shirt, played some buckbuck, and just had a great time. But I'm happy to be back. So, as I believe this post will be a lenghty one, I'll give a short prelude. Feel free to read only the prelude if you're pressed for time. Here goes: Cornerstone good, got some cd's, new bands, learned a riff, still have feelings (I know, I just can't seem to let go of them. Guess they really were real after all, despite what I've been telling myself), miss my friends, need a new EQ pedal for my guitar, and yeah, roses are #FF0000.
So, on to the actual blog post, eh? I got two cd's from a new artist that I like, and I wanted to share with you one line as really profound from one of his songs. He said "just know that when you lay me down to die, you lay me down to live". That hit me so hard, I had to stop and think about it. Because it's true. As a Christian, when I die I don't go to hell, I go on to live my true purpose in my real home. This is just a place of holding, so to speak. We are just here to worship God and pass on the news of his saving grace, until our souls are required of us. It just set me to thinking is all. Finally got my new guitar riffs down pact by the way. It was amazing. I feel accomplished. Oh, random interjection, I'm very glad Hawai'i wasn't nuked. Very very happy. Ok, back on topic. (I know, I just lost a bunch of continuity. So sue me.) You know, some of the best times of my life, looking back, aren't the concerts I went to or my playing music, they aren't even (contrary to popular belief) the times I've spent playing video games. The best times of my life were the times that I spent with (I know, I just can't decide on my feelings, but alas) Allie, the time I was saved from my sins and eternal death, and the times where I felt the presence of God (trust me, you can feel it), and my time with my friends. When I was just hugging, holding hands, and things like that. I really do still care about her. And I don't think that will ever change. Which really really sucks. Anywho, I've been missing my friends as of late, namely mike, lexa, colleen (did I spell that right? Eh.), and a few others. I just wanna hang out. As I said, I need a new equalizer pedal for my guitar because it sounds like MUD through the sound system, and I've been putting it off for a long time. Well, that's it. Roses are #FF0000, and this blog was written with my new iTouch blogging app, blogpress.
So, on to the actual blog post, eh? I got two cd's from a new artist that I like, and I wanted to share with you one line as really profound from one of his songs. He said "just know that when you lay me down to die, you lay me down to live". That hit me so hard, I had to stop and think about it. Because it's true. As a Christian, when I die I don't go to hell, I go on to live my true purpose in my real home. This is just a place of holding, so to speak. We are just here to worship God and pass on the news of his saving grace, until our souls are required of us. It just set me to thinking is all. Finally got my new guitar riffs down pact by the way. It was amazing. I feel accomplished. Oh, random interjection, I'm very glad Hawai'i wasn't nuked. Very very happy. Ok, back on topic. (I know, I just lost a bunch of continuity. So sue me.) You know, some of the best times of my life, looking back, aren't the concerts I went to or my playing music, they aren't even (contrary to popular belief) the times I've spent playing video games. The best times of my life were the times that I spent with (I know, I just can't decide on my feelings, but alas) Allie, the time I was saved from my sins and eternal death, and the times where I felt the presence of God (trust me, you can feel it), and my time with my friends. When I was just hugging, holding hands, and things like that. I really do still care about her. And I don't think that will ever change. Which really really sucks. Anywho, I've been missing my friends as of late, namely mike, lexa, colleen (did I spell that right? Eh.), and a few others. I just wanna hang out. As I said, I need a new equalizer pedal for my guitar because it sounds like MUD through the sound system, and I've been putting it off for a long time. Well, that's it. Roses are #FF0000, and this blog was written with my new iTouch blogging app, blogpress.
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