Life's a Teacher So Watch Her Ruler

I love experiences because they tell good stories and teach good lessons. So in the past few months, I've added a few stories to my collection. Moving into an apartment being one of them. That's where a majority of my stories and experiences originate.

Like how to manage your money well.

With as many hours as I work and my expenses, there's usually not much left over. Between gas (commuting 1600 miles a month), insurance, rent, cable, electric, groceries, and a meal out here and there it gets pretty costly. But people experience far worse.

I also learn how to manage time well.

To get you on the same page, here's a look at my weekly schedule:

Monday/Wednesday

• Wake-up at 7
• Commute 7:45-8:30
• Class 9-3
• Commute 3-3:45
• Work 3:45-6
• Homework 6-? (Also have Community Bible Study Monday Nights)

Tuesday/Thursday

• Wake-up at 6
• Commute 6:45-7:30
• Class 8-3
• Commute 3-3:45
• Work 3:45-6
• Homework 6-? (Also have another Bible Study Tuesday Nights)

Friday

• Wake-up at 8:30
• Meet with Music Pastor for Breakfast round 9
• Work 11-6
• Free Time/Shooting photography for local high school football teams

Saturday

• Wake-up at 7:30
• Work 8:15-12
• Rest/Nap/Free Time or whatever

Sunday

• Wake-up at 9:30
• Help with Jr. High 10:15-12
• Lunch with friends
• Homework (naturally I wait the last second for this)

Schedule isn't that bad but after a few weeks it can get pretty exhausting. Especially when freelancing in my free time. But I like staying busy. It always gives me something to do and, though I love to sit back and relax, keeps me from being bored.

But besides the "earthly" lessons I have learned about responsibility, growing up, and being in the "real world" I have noticed revelations along the way that hit me on a deeper level. Such as, what I want when I'm older. As easy as money can make things, I value my time more than money and that will continue. I would much rather spend time with my family and friends than working more hours for more pay. I don't want money to be the foundation of my decisions or happiness because, as the saying goes, you can't take that with you. I would much rather make memories with the ones I love and care about. And along the lines of family, and I mean future family, I've come to learn and mature in what I want and need in a future wife. With the past few months going by concerning my dating life, if that's what you'd call it, I've come to desire something a little bit more intimate than what society might call a casual relationship. Those aren't satisfying. With what I've learned regarding those, I made a vow to myself. That vow is to not kiss another girl unless it's my wife. I understand that can be confusing because you won't really know until you KNOW her. So my plan is my next "first kiss" to be when I propose. The thought behind this is, it'll give me a chance to get to know the person I'm interested in without worrying about when the physical part should set it. That just complicates things and I don't like complicated. Simplicity is underrated.

Helping with the Jr. High has also taught me a few things; endurance being one of them. Being a counselor in a youth group is great accountability. And that's what I try to use it for. I can't be helping and teaching these hormone crazed youngins knowing I'm not living the life that I'm trying to help them live. Otherwise it's void. Patience is another key thing. You can't expect too much out of 7th and 8th graders, that is when comparing them to college aged kids. Otherwise you're setting yourself up for disappointment and an advil. That's why I try to have fun, be spontaneous, present the main point for that sunday in a way they can relate and think on....then move on. A wise man once said, "Present the gospel everywhere you go. If necessary, use words." Soooo true when mentoring to kids who look up to you. They're smart enough to raise questions on their own and they'll present you with those when the time's right.

Basically the 3 key things I've learned, and I've learned more that come with some hilarious stories. But I realize an attention span is hard to keep so I'm gonna stop here.

One last thing to meditate on that you shouldn't learn the hard way:

If a kid ever asks, "Where do babies come from?" Never, and I must reiterate, NEVER tell them to google it.

A Beautiful Exchange

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a Hillsong concert at Church on the Move in Tulsa. They just recently released a new record entitled A Beautiful Exchange so, naturally, the tour was called the Beautiful Exchange tour. The pastor that traveled with them explained why they named their current record A Beautiful Exchange and he basically explained that Jesus made a beautiful exchange when he died for us.

That's such a cool way to think about it.

We hear the word "sacrifice" all the time and though that's true it becomes numb the more times we hear it. What Jesus did was truly a beautiful exchange. He exchanged our deserved death for life by giving his. But we have beautiful exchanges as well. Anytime we meet someone new we have a beautiful exchange because we meet another "us".

We meet another "me".

We meet another "we".

We meet another "brother".

We meet another "sister".

I was pondering on why facebook is such a hit. Ask anyone why they have it. 95% if not more say it's to keep in touch. But lets face it, that's not usually the case. Anyone, including myself, can keep up with friends via phone whether it be calling them or texting them. The real reason we all have a facebook is cause its more convenient and we love stalking people and the pictures, posts, comments, and friends each other have. If someone messages us or comments us or whatever the case may be, we like the fact that we don't have to respond right then. It's on our time. The ball's in our court. We're in control, and we LOVE that. And how convenient it is that we can look at all their photos to see what they look like in current situations, what type of people they hang out with, etc. That my friends is not a beautiful exchange. When we meet face to face and talk, laugh, hang out....

That is a beautiful exchange.

It's about community. Jesus demonstrated that flawlessly and we should follow that example then lead by example. He made a beautiful exchange so we may have a beautiful exchange.

"When only love could make a way

You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange

When only love could break these chain

You gave Your life in a beautiful exchange"

He still wants us and still wants to exchange with us. Through prayer. Through scripture. Through people. But we fight back. We say no. We want the ball in our court not his. Cause love control. And we hate being vulnerable. "You were near though I was distant. Disillusioned, I was lost and insecure. Still mercy fought for my attention. You were waiting at the door, then I let You in."

Perfection took our place in a Beautiful Exchange.

I'm Tom Hanks from "Big"

I'm sure everyone at one point in their life has thought about how nice it would be to be little again. Not really a specific age, just little. Maybe sometime in between kindergarten and the end of elementary or even before. I find myself thinking about that often now.

Things were so much more simple back then. Only things we had to worry about was an occasional homework assignment, which might consist of coloring or basic math problems, getting into trouble with our parents that might lead to disciplining (which for me was either a belt or a big wooden spoon), or to narrow down your super long christmas list to the things you wanted most.

These times were great! No responsibilities. No bills. No jobs. No worries about gas prices or stimulus plans. We lived moment to moment and tried to find out how to make the world we lived in more fun and more enjoyable. And the creativity we had was amazing! If you ever notice people loose creativity when they grow older due to people using phrases such as, "Grow up." or "Stop being immature." or even "Stop that foolish thinking; this is the real world." But that's foolishness talking. I loved/love to look up at clouds to see what I can see or daydream about experiences that will never happen. That's why I love to design! We use design as a form of visual communication because, as we all know, a picture is like 1000 words. It communicates an idea or how we want it interpreted. The saying, "The kids say the darndest things" reminds me of this because we get a tiny view of how they percieve the world. That's why I love to hang around kids. Sometimes I get a chance to help out in the nursery at our church and it is always a blast. Though usually I am out of breath, it's always fun giving piggy back rides, hide and seek, or the classic airpline ride. It helps me let loose and be a kid again.

We need more times like this. It's so uplifting and relieves us from the stress and thoughts of what we have to do in our day to day lives. Studies have shown that stress is a major contributor of heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and also affects the immune system. Who wants to live with that? And some may ask do we even have a choice? Life, otherwise known or called reality, is something we all have to deal with. However, we can choose how we deal with it.

For me, I'm choosing to deal with it in the most fun, creative, and enjoyable way possible.

Jesus Blew His Whistle

In my online Ethics class we've been going through a chapter that brings up the term "whistleblower". We read about the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; which prohibits any public company from discriminating against any employee who lawfully provides information or otherwise assists in an investigation of conduct that the employee (or whistleblower) "reasonably believes" constitutes a violation of the federal securities laws. But, like anything else, there are loopholes to this Act that companies take advantage of. And for sake of argument, lets call the whistleblower 'Ox'.

- They can attack Ox's motives, credibility, or professional competence.

- They can reassign Ox to an isolated work location

- They can publicly humiliate Ox by setting him up for failure and putting him in impossible assignments

- Or they can prosecute Ox for unauthorized disclosures of information.

After reading the statistics and stories of multiple whistleblowers I was astonished....to say the least. I can't help but question the society we live in where people are persecuted for bringing moral justice. And I am disappointed because I know it's only going to get worse because of moral laziness and lack of backbone.

C.H. Farnsworth explains that workers who reveal waste, fraud, and abuse can expect retaliation, financial loss and high emotional and physical stress. A whistleblower who worked in a nuclear power plant, and I emphasize NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, wrote: "This has turned out to be the most frightening thing I have ever done."

Lets recap. A worker in a NUCLEAR POWER PLANT said that his act of integrity was "the most frightening thing [he has] ever done." Think of the persecution he faced that would make him say that.

In a recent survey, 1 out of every 5 whistleblowers reported they were without a job, and 25% mentioned increased financial burdens on the family as the most negative result of their action.

17% lost their homes.

57% of the whistleblowers said they were harassed by peers at work.

15% view their subsequent divorce a result of their whistleblowing activity.

10% report having attempted suicide. Others admit having considered it.

80% reported physical deterioration, with loss of sleep and added weight as symptoms

86% reported negative emotional consequences, including feelings of depression, powerlessness, isolation, anxiety, and anger.

But as I read this and meditate on it I can't help but ask myself, "Was Jesus a Whistleblower?" And I usually conclude in a "pphhhhh....duh." Jesus always stood up for what was right no matter what the cost or persecution; "even death on a cross." In an ARIS study in 2008, 76% of people in the U.S. said they considered themselves to be Christians.

Yeah. Right.

To which I ask, "Why aren't more standing up? Why aren't more being persecuted? And why are we persecuting?"

What's the cost of Integrity?

In Matthew 5: 10-11 it says that "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me."

I applaud the people who have the backbone and integrity to stand up for what's right especially when it comes to sacrificing their jobs, financial security, and even family. That's what God's looking for and what He needs. The story behind this, though making me aggravated and angry, makes me smile for I know His Glory is revealed through his children's persecution. Let us learn a lesson from our Brothers and Sisters

And Blow Our Whistle

corny? Yeah well so are Justin Beiber's lyrics

Under the Influence

If you are reading this then you are an influence. Not just an influence but a good influence. And not just a good influence, but a good influence on my life. I am blessed with so many good friends that when I sit and think about it I can't help but feel I don't deserve it. I am writing this for you because you should know

you have changed me.

You may not believe me, but I wouldn't be taking the time out of my day to write this if it wasn't true. I believe that we should let the people know how much they mean to us and that even the smallest encounter with a person, such as yourself, can change a life. Granted some reading this I may not know as well as others but that doesn't make you any less of an influence. If you are reading this I can't tell you how many times I've thought and prayed that we could hang out more because of who you are and what or who you stand for. I am writing this to thank you for letting me be a friend, for letting me hang out, and even for letting me be apart of your life. I am writing this to let you know that you are an influence and that you keep being the influence. I wanna let you know that you matter; not just to me but probably to a whole lot of others. Though cliche, there's nothing more true. I pray I can be a blessing like you have been to me and that I can learn how to be a positive influence like you have shown.

So with my hat off and my glass lifted, I toast to you and everything you have or haven't done.

Cheers Guys

and

Bottoms Up

Woah-man

I was eating lunch with some friends the other day and out of no where, I came to a realization. A realization that I always knew but

never

really

got.

You know the kind of realization you have that you've always known or understood but for some reason it just decided to click. And as I sat there in a conversation with a friend eating the infamous chicken sandwich, I looked around. And....

It

Just

Clicked.

There were women surrounding me talking, laughing, and smiling. I couldn't help but smile. Because there I realized, I am surrounded by the most beautiful creation God has made. It floored me I never saw it before and as my friend's conversation continued my epiphany distorted all sound. How could I have never grasped this? It reminded me of the story of Adam and Eve.

God created Adam and put him in a garden in the east, in Eden. "He put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." But there was no suitable helper for Adam so "the Lord God caused him to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of Adam and he brought her to the man." Adam then said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man."

As I looked around all I saw was Eve, the suitable helper made from man's own bones and flesh. And as I glanced around at this Perfection

This Poetry

This Beauty

And This Art

around me, it brought several questions to mind. How can other guys not see this? Why do they only see an opportunity of sexual immorality? Or why do they only see imperfection? And ladies, why are you worried about what you look like? Why are you so worried about your appearance? I can't tell you how stressful it is when girls call themselves fat or ugly when they're not. You need to realize that you are perfect...just...the...way...you...are. And as much of a cliche as that is it's true. You are Eve! If God didn't like the way you were created he wouldn't have created you! And if a guy, or so called "man", can't see that then he's not worth your time! I get so frustrated when I hear a girl talk about how her boyfriend/husband/fiance/friend (or whatever the case may be) isn't treating her right and she's sick of it. The answer is simple. Run! Leave! Why do you want to wait around for a man who is not your Adam?

The last question I ponder is one most guys ask; where is my Eve? But whenever I ask this question it is always followed by another; am I Adam? Am I the man I need/want to be who deserves an Eve? Does my life reflect Christ where I deserve or should be blessed with an Eve? It's a questions I more often than not ask myself. And until God reveals that answer to me I strive to be the man of God He wants me to be. But I still can't help but think about my Eve. I can't wait to meet her because I know when I do, I can be her Adam. I want to be the guy who fights for her and her heart. I wanna be her knight (yeah I know super cheesy) who would sleigh the dragon and the ends of the earth just to get to her; even if its to see that smile one last time. I wanna be the the man who gives all he has to her. Who will take care of her in every aspect that he should and knows how. I wanna be the man who puts that smile on her face and knows the secrets everybody doesn't. I want to be her Adam. Her suitable helper. I want to be united. I want to become one flesh. And I await that day with anticipation and eagerness but with patience for I know He will bring her to me when I become that man.

As I end this I can't help but laugh cause all these thoughts and realizations that overcame me, overcame me with a chicken sandwich in my hand. Tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor

A Glimpse of Grace

I'm here but i'm not really here.

I sit in my chair watching my friends

As they talk to each other

With smiles on their faces

And laughter bouncing off the walls

But dieing as I realize my own reality.

The sound and noise fall short of my existence

As if I was underwater looking to the surface

For my thoughts are somewhere else.

I thought the problems were gone.

I thought I disciplined them and put them in the corner

Where they belong.

But I soon realize they're just like children.

If stuck in the same place for too long

They become restless and test their boundaries.

I have been tested and I have failed.

I sit realizing my own heart cannot be trusted

And that this grace He gives us and wraps us in

Is like a child encompassed in a warm blanket by his mother

Crying

Knowing

That he did wrong but she holds him regardless.

With him close to her chest and arms wrapped around him

He feels the warmth and safety of her love and forgiveness

As the sobs begin to weaken.

I am this child cause I fail day in and day out

But I am yet given this gift we call Grace.

And as I sit in this chair I am humbled by the thought

Cause I don't deserve it.

I don't want Heartbreak but yet I break His heart everyday.

I sit there thinking how I can change so drastically

From one day

To the next.

I'm on track

Then I'm not.

I lean back and lightly chuckle

Cause I feel I don't even know myself anymore.

Why is it on nights like this my actions don't reflect the man I want to be

But a man I despise?

My actions reflect a man of this world

Not the next.

So I ask myself, "How does this happen?"

How'd it get this way?

Jeremiah 17:9

"Man's heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

My heart is deceitful and longs for the things

And People of this world.

So I change even to a point of where I don't even know who I am

And why or who I'm acting for.

I keep asking for these burdens, especially one, to be lifted

But yet these children keep sneaking out of the corner

Leaving me embarrassed, humbled and

Exposed to the All Knowing.

Bringing me back to the thought of Grace.

I long to change into the man Christ wants me to be

But I realize the only way I will get there is by tests and trials

So that I can develop perseverance.

For "perserverance must finish its work so that

You may be Mature

And Complete,

Not lacking Anything."

And as a chair squeaks and my name is called

I am brought back to my friends.

And as the tests occur, I ask Christ for strength

To persevere

And to accept the gift of Grace

For when I fail.

Cause My Heart Aches Otherwise