Faithful in the Everyday

This weekend I was looking for my keys, After I spent about 20 minutes looking for them, I quietly breathed these words, "God, please show me where my keys are". Two minutes later I lifted up a towel and there were my keys. Then the other day I was looking for my belt, so I again prayed, "God, show me where my belt is". Twenty seconds later, I see my belt laying on the other side of my laundry basket.

Back in high school I got in the habit of stopping for a moment when I can't find something and praying for God to show it to me. I'm not sure which pastor suggested this, but I know the idea didn't come from me. Over the years I have continued to do this, whether it was a piece of paper, my wallet, keys, or even socks, and every time without fail I have found whatever it was I was looking for within 5 minutes of asking.

I think it's amazing how God shows himself faithful in the little things. If this was a one shot deal I could credit it all to coincidence, but it's every time. There might have been 4 times that it went over 5 minutes, but I still found what I was looking for. Maybe it's psychosomatic, but I doubt I'm able to move objects with my mind to place them where I can find them. I tend to think it's more logical to believe an all knowing, loving and personal God cares about me enough that he leads me to look in certain places and prompts me to move certain objects because he cares about even the little things in my life.

Homesick

I just got back from spending the weekend with an old college roommate, Anton. We spent our last full year of Bethany together. Over that year we became more than rommates; we became "roommies". "Rommies" are roommates who do more than co-exist; they become good friends. During our year together we shared hurts and struggles and Anton's listening and offering advice helped me through that year. There were many times just seeing Anton come back from the TP (dorm) Chapel with his bible encourage me to get my butt in gear with my devotions. I don't think he has any idea how much he encouraged me.

Anton and I lost contact over the past few years, which meant I missed his wedding. Thankfully, over the past year we got back in contact and this weekend it was like we hadn't missed a day.

I had so much fun hanging out with him and his wife (Marilee is super fun) I wanted to move up there or get them to move down here. Then I realized if I did, or they did, I still would have friends who live far away and then I'd wanna move near them. Then I thought well everyone could move to me ( I am the center of the universe). Then I realized all the friends they would give up.

Some of my closest friends and how far they live away started to come to mind and I actually Googled the distances. So to give you an idea, here's a list of their approximate distances from me. If you don't appear on the list, I still love you.

Cummings- Aumsville, Oregon (6 000 kms)
Hancocks- Martins Creek, Virginia (1 800 kms)
AP- Johnson City, New York ( 1 200 kms)
Carters- Tidnish, Nova Scotia (220 kms)
Andy- Saint John, New Brunswick (20 kms)

Thinking about the restraints of time and space made me homesick for heaven. Not that I want to die or anyone else to. I'm just eager to be able to have true fellowship with friends who live so far away. I'm excited to know I won't have to jump a plane or drive down the Trans-Canada to see my friends. We will all live in the same metaphysical House. It'll be a big big house with lots and lots of rooms. With a big big yard where we can play football (believe me, there will be football in heaven).

I could go on, but y'al are probably tired of reading.

The Davidical Musicological Deali-O

Emo Evolution
A few of my teens talk about being emo. For those who don't know, "Emo" is a gendre of music that has also developed into a teen trend. When artists like Dashboard Confessional started paving the way for emo music, I don't think he intended on it becoming another arm of teen culture. I think he just had emotionally expressive music that didn't fit into the current music box. However, people have taken what started as music and injected it into every area of culture, until it evolved into this mutanous thing.
As I obsvere teens that are emo. I see the trend of emo being a "happy goth". Emo teens, who are guys, tend to wear eye-liner and fingernail polish, just like goths tend to. The clothing appears to be similar . The only difference I've seen are emo teens are allowed to be happy, whereas goths have to be more somber and depresed. The funny thing is emos tend to gravitate toward negative emotions, perhaps because they are easier to express and distinctive. In a time in our lives when we struggle to discover our identity being distinct is better than gold. Because negative emotions tend to be more plentiful in the subculture would seem to be the reason emo teens & goth teens appear to have the same style of wardrobe. Also, We're gonna notice the attire of an emo teen who expresses themself in dominant black colors over and emo teen who uses...say...neutral earth colors, which would mean there are probably emo teens who we don't even realize are emo.

R&B Confession
I have a dark history of secretly indulging in bands and artists that would not carry the most credibility with mainstream music fans. In the past I have been a fan of The Moffatts, I actually went to 1 of their concerts. I was a Britney, Christina, & Jessica fan before the were considered women of ill repute. I've always loved the '80s and finally lately I have become a fan of R & B music. I really have nothing to say in my defence. I like it.

Emotional Roller Coaster

Today, I have gone through a range of emotions. I'm finishing up the Poser book and as I read the book I began to struggle with a few things. I got really angry at the regulations imposed by the church and how we seem to set standards for receiving and maintaining salvation, that I would say are contrary to scripture.

Then I found myself irritated at myself because I tend to ascribe value and worth to people like their items I would buy or sell. "You're worth this much time!", "Don't bother me, I've got better things to do!", and "Oh no, they're coming my way!" are all thoughts I could have any given day.

At youth I became passioante as I talked to the teens about the "fellowship" (kind of ironic) we are intended to have with each other, God, and ourselves. The passion continued as I talked with someone I've come to call Barnabus, and a dear friend. We talked about personal holiness and the regulations of the church. While I was able to voice my frustration, I was also able to share my passion.

I went home tonight encouraged. Not because of what I had shared, but because Barnabus had brought out a passion I wasn't sure still existed. He silenced thoughts of doubt that nagged my heart.