Smile, JC, smile!

Smile, JC, smile!
Originally uploaded by jcforgod.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend was out taking pictures so I got involved. I have some more on my computer, but these were my favorite.

My brother found a free offer that seems legit. It's for a free ipod shuffle. Apparently you sign up, complete one of the offers (the easiest one is the video tutor) and then get three friends to sign up. Soooo... To my friends at EBC, if you participate and I do get it, I'll let you use it! *grins* I also did it to help my bro out. I hope it is legit...

Click

On to other topics...

I meet with a few men from church every Tuesday at 5 before I work at 7. Unfortunately I have to leave before everyone gets to talk, but I've been getting prayed for and am able to share my struggles. I was driving home tonight and I just was blessed. I always leave feeling encouraged and closer to God because of this. It's one of the best feelings to know that you're part of a group that loves God and that loves you.

I hung out with Josh today. We went to JC Penney's and I used my gift card that had 15 dollars on it. Turns out that the shirt that I finally decided on (what is it about JCP that makes it hard for me to find anything?!) had an extra clearance on it besides what it had in the first place. So I got a 20 or 30 dollar shirt for 10 dollars. Pretty cool. Then we went to Chili's to have lunch. I had this wonderful blackberry lemonade that I've decided is much smoother and easier to down than strawberry lemonade. I also had a Cajun Chicken sandwiche. Yum! We then spent most of the afternoon in Barnes and Noble. I read my school books for half the time and then read a Star Wars book. *grins* Turns out that they have wireless internet there for 2 bucks an hour. Is that good?

Anyways, today was an enjoyable day.

I put together a cover letter, resume, and testimony for my Ministry Leadership class. I just received it back and got an A- on it. Now to revise it and have it ready to send in for my internship.

I'm really enjoying my Theology II Independent Study. The way it works is that I read the book, talk about it with the teacher and then take the unit exam. I just did the Anthropology (that sounds much more scholarly than the Study of Man, doncha think?) exam last Tuesday and I got an A-. I just finished the Hamartology (sin) section and will probably talk about it on Tuesday and perhaps take the test on thursday? Maybe...

February is coming up way too fast. I have way too many things going on and too many papers to write! I'm going to be turning 22 in a week and I'm amazed that I'm this old. I used to think that 11 was ancient... Now I'm twice that!

I'm sitting in the library procrastinating on writing papers. It's a sad thing. I have two papers to write so that I can get ahead and be able to do the things I have planned for two weekends in February. But, I've been reading emails, bloggers, and making moves in chess.

Gameknot.com is a great chess site. If you want to join and play me a game (staggered over days) I'm jcforgod and you can challange me.

Let's see, what else can I write about...

The library is empty, except for yours truly.

I have several people to cal lthis weekend and I don't know if I'm going to have the time to do so. Being busy is both a curse and a blessing. I'm finding myself going and going and going and the occasional break is very welcome.

I got to see Bush's inagural (sp) speech. He had a lot to say about freedom and liberty. What I liked was he said something about governing the self in order to help others (in a national sense). Very cool.

Well, I guess I'd better start the research... wish me luck

So, What has God been doing in the life of JC?

Creating discipline. I am now getting up between the times of 5 and 5:20 in the morning to exercise and do devotions. Needless to say that is a big change and has really done some neat things in my life. I'm actually in tune with God right now. There is something about waking up and starting your day with the Word, praising and praying. I'm finding doors opening and doors shutting because I'm being obedient. It's exciting to be able to go to the student center thinking it's empty, and end up talking and praying for a girl who was going through a hard time. It's exciting knowing that God is your victory and you really don't need to sweat anything.

Being right with God also increases relationship opportunities. I'm now developing some excellent friendships with some of the freshmen guys. I'm not the loner I was last term.

Homework is going good as well. I've rediscovered the love of learning and my classes are awesome! Discipleship and Mentoring has got to be the most relaxing class I've been in. We have a lot of discussion and group projects. Ministry Leadership is also good. Finally getting to the classes for my major and it is exciting! Theology II, an independent study, is working out well. I took the first test this morning and came close to acing it. Not quite, 'cause I know I missed a couple of things, but I've decided I like tests that are straight out of the book. Pulpit Speech II is a great class. Pastor Jim knows what he's talking about and I'm catching a vision for preaching. The only class I'm struggling in is Greek II and I'm feeling like I'm just coasting through on the basics. I really need to review, but the time isn't there. *sighs* Oh well, at least I'm developing the tools and one of these days I'll get back into the passion of actually reading Greek.

I'm going to be leading a youth group on February 2nd (the day after my birthday) and I've developed somewhat of a sporadic outline for that. I have the feeling that it's going to be more discussion than preaching. I am very excited about it, though.

What's neat is that I have the drive again. I have the pastor's heart, again. It's been awhile and I was starting to wonder, but now I'm filled up and flowing over.

Oh, you'll notice a couple new links to the left: Brother David is a monk in the wilds of Dinosaur land (okay, not, he's just my brother, but I can pretend, can't I?). Big John is a very old friend who is now updating his blogger! (who I really, really, really, really need to call). Uel:pray: is a special blogger for Samuel to post prayer requests as he ministers in the schools in Taiwan. I urge you to pray for him.

OH and if anyone wants me to remove the links, I will upon request.

Okay, I'm home in Madras right now. I ended up having to pick Mom up from the Airport on Sat. and then I drove here home yesterday after church. God blessed us with good roads. I slept well last night and have enjoyed the morning. I'm leaving soon for Eugene.

I wanted to talk about what God's showing me lately, but we're now in a hurry.

Written on my laptop earlier this evening:

I’m sitting in the student center waiting for 5 to come around. A group of the Greek I students are getting together with the Greek II students to study. I don’t know if anyone will show up, but if one does, we will have a study time.

My church does communion every Sunday and sometimes it just becomes a normal thing to do and the significance is lost upon me. Today was different. I was sitting there with the elements and had my head bowed. It struck me how unworthy I am and that He died for ME, so that I could sit there and remember. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:22-24 (memory verse for a class). I am a sinner, but He died for me. He laid down His life and took my place. I almost cried, it hit me that powerful!

I just reread Eli by Bill Myers. For those of you who haven’t read it, it’s a what if Jesus didn’t come 2,000 years ago (beware, spoilers ahead). So there is the parallel between Jesus’ ministry and Eli’s. The main character is a guy who gets to be one of the 12 and see first hand Who Eli is. He sees the death and sees that Eli/Jesus was sacrificing himself for Conrad. The way it was written, Conrad saw himself in Eli’s place and realized why Eli was dying. Jesus is a substitute for us! We deserve to die, but His death broke that. We are justified freely by his grace! We have the free gift of salvation!

It’s been awhile since I’ve looked at the reason I’m a Christian. It was good to think about and to realize how much love was poured out for us.

There’s your thought for today. *grins*

Propeller - on AviatorDave's flickr

Propeller
Originally uploaded by AviatorDave.

Whatcha think, Dad? Want to get your own?

Today is the last day at home (or actually this morning is.). I'm going to go to church and then leave from there. I have a piece of homemade pizza from last night, and my mother got up early to make two turkey sandwhiches for me. I'm extremely blessed. I've enjoyed this break on the most part. Of course there has been some tension and I'm constantly reminded that Dad and I are too much alike, but it wasn't overwhelming and I was able to deal with it. I played games and watched movies. Now I start my entertainment fast and I'm really looking forward to seeing what God does.

I feel like with the start of a new year I have a start at a new life. It's not so drastic as a move, but I really feel like my walk with God is on the upward slope and I may actually (with some help from a friend) get some discipline in my life. Pray for me.

Registration is tomorrow. I'm volunteering to enter info again, so I'll be very busy. Then classes start on tuesday and I get to go through my syllabi to figure out schedule. Hopefully we'll keep the same schedule in the computer lab. I'd like to get rid of Wednesdays but I don't want to work all day on Tuesday and I definitely don't want to give up having thursday off. So we'll see how Randy's schedule goes.

Oh, I'll also learn what my grades were for last term I'm a little scared, 'cause two of the classes had most of the grade due the day of the final. I really don't know what I'm getting in those classes. Hoping for 'A's.

Anyways, I'm going to go. Have a wonderful week.

There goes the pony tail!

There goes the pony tail!
Originally uploaded by jcforgod.

Just a snippet (pun intended) of my hair cut album. Look at previous post for link

128 movies at approximately 2.5 hours each = 13.33 days. Two weeks of my life in 2004 dedicated totally to watching movies. Me thinks I need to cut back this year. I've been feeling convicted about this before I tallied up my list and I'm going on a video game, TV, and movie fast. Most likely it'll be around 40 days, but we'll see.

I was going to post some pictures of yours truely, but flickr is having issues. *sniffs* Oh well.

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Update: I figured a way around the problem! Yay for me! Click and view