I was going to blog my summer job, but instead I've decided to write in hand parts of it and text the more interesting stuff to my girlfriend. Here I recollect the month of May on the job, in which I spent 100 percent of working outside...
I worked outside during the month of May. I planted flowers, cultivated dry ground, cut grass and other things related to outdoor work. During this time in the outdoors, I spent a great deal of time praying, in which if people knew I was doing that, they wouldn't have thought too much of it because my employer is a catholic church. The church that I worked for is one that's in my neighborhood, it's one that I've felt various fronts of spiritual warfare, some good and some bad. While working I am usually paid compliments by those who pass by -- they think I do a good job, both the local walkers, the parishioners and several of the priests have complimented me on my work. I say thanks to them, but then I offer back that thanks to God.
One day one of the parishioners told me that if she were me, she'd bring her I Pod with her to fight off boredom. I (in my mind) started thinking how the job isn't boring, because I spend time in prayer and it's an outside job (I dig the outdoors), so it's a win-win job for me. I like to commune with God in many ways, but I especially like experiencing God in nature -- sunrises and sets, lakes and oceans, flora and fauna, etc -- To talk to my Heavenly Father in this manner.
A fellow brother in Christ sent me a book called Touching Heaven - Discovering Orthodox Christianity on the Island pf Valaam - as I slowly read this book (it's meaty) I recognize how some followers of Christ commune with God, tho not all of it is about followers of Christ communing in a natural way, the remoteness of the island paints a picture of how I want to get away from all this at times; all this meaning everyday suburban life. Truly I want to live and minister among others so I will be here in all this, but I want a place like Valaam, even Jesus got away from time to time with his disciples to the Mount of Olives.
In conclusion, I don't need an I Pod when I work outside (or inside as I am now) I have my God, He is all I need and all that I will ever need.
[nv]
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
The teaser picture!
The Bugatti Veyron,
258 miles per hour
1000 horsepower
2.2 million dollars...
Oh yes,
first one I've seen, and hopefully not the last
this is the Bugatti's factory demo, only 25 were sold in the U.S!
drool your hearts out!
[nv]
Monday, June 04, 2007
I'm ready...but I don't want to die...
Lately I've been talking to God about death,
I used to be very dark and depressed because life, well, sucked [worse that it does now in some ways] and the poems I wrote in that chapter of my life remind me of how horrible I was, like Job, cursed the day I was born and things like it would have been better if I was never born in the first place. As I talk to God, I thank him for my life, my girlfriend, my fam, my job, those I minister unto and the ministries I'm involved with, etc. As I talk to my Heavenly Father, I let Him know that while I am ready to die (whenever that might be), I'm not ready because I love life more than I used to.
There's this song -- Reliant K -Deathbed -- that sums up a man's existence (free to download, it's a little over 11 minutes long) and his struggles with life, family and other things that make quite a good song, but the clincher is that he too talks to God about death! He becomes a follower of Christ later on in his life, and he's dumbfounded that after all he had done in his life, that God would be so loving and forgiving. This song is definitely one I've overplayed, and it has given me some solace as I continue on living and eventually getting to the end...which in itself is a beginning!
For me, I'm glad to be alive, but when my time here on earth, I'm (almost) ready...
[n][v]
I used to be very dark and depressed because life, well, sucked [worse that it does now in some ways] and the poems I wrote in that chapter of my life remind me of how horrible I was, like Job, cursed the day I was born and things like it would have been better if I was never born in the first place. As I talk to God, I thank him for my life, my girlfriend, my fam, my job, those I minister unto and the ministries I'm involved with, etc. As I talk to my Heavenly Father, I let Him know that while I am ready to die (whenever that might be), I'm not ready because I love life more than I used to.
There's this song -- Reliant K -Deathbed -- that sums up a man's existence (free to download, it's a little over 11 minutes long) and his struggles with life, family and other things that make quite a good song, but the clincher is that he too talks to God about death! He becomes a follower of Christ later on in his life, and he's dumbfounded that after all he had done in his life, that God would be so loving and forgiving. This song is definitely one I've overplayed, and it has given me some solace as I continue on living and eventually getting to the end...which in itself is a beginning!
For me, I'm glad to be alive, but when my time here on earth, I'm (almost) ready...
[n][v]
Friday, June 01, 2007
gripped by His love...
A friend of mine has as part of his email signature In His Grip and for me I as a follower of Christ, I am in His grip, but I am also gripped by His love.
As ironic (for lack of a better word) I question love in relationship to me; I truly believe that my girlfriend is in love with me, both by words, but also by actions. She demonstrates agape love in so many ways, and sometimes I am caught of guard by how wonderful it truly is.
I know my mom loves me, but she has to, she's my mom! Only joking, only joking. She loves me by her actions, but also by how she has been the most active parent in my life, she's been there for me in so many ways, I am starting
to reciprocate during this time she has chemo treatments for her breast cancer.
My sisters love me as a sibling, a listening ear, transportation, etc. I am glad that we are close, albeit I rather be closer to 2 of the 3, it seems like we get along well, but we could get along better...
My father, yeah... His love for me is confusing; sure, he helps me monetarily with school and a few other expenses, but when it comes down to saying I love you he is someone who says oh and by the way I love you or he says in a haste ending to his conversation with me. :( I am sometimes hurt to the core when it seems like he says it mechanically, as if a program tells him to say it instead of his heart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God...the love God shows me is being exposed more in my life in different areas and different ways, it's hard for me to pinpoint where God's loving me in every area of my life, but I know he loves me deeply and dearly.
I hate bringing up my father again, but my Heavenly father is a lot closer to me than my Earthly one, and I am torn apart inside and yet I feel completely whole, quite complex I admit... My Heavenly father has gripped me with his love, it is a stream that never runs dry and I constantly go to quench my thirst. I feel loved by Him, it is an amazing feeling to feel suffocated (in a good way) by love -- and not from a human being, but by the God of creation, the Alpha and Omega, the one who chose me before anything was made...wow!
Oh how joyous I am! :)
[n][v]
As ironic (for lack of a better word) I question love in relationship to me; I truly believe that my girlfriend is in love with me, both by words, but also by actions. She demonstrates agape love in so many ways, and sometimes I am caught of guard by how wonderful it truly is.
I know my mom loves me, but she has to, she's my mom! Only joking, only joking. She loves me by her actions, but also by how she has been the most active parent in my life, she's been there for me in so many ways, I am starting
to reciprocate during this time she has chemo treatments for her breast cancer.
My sisters love me as a sibling, a listening ear, transportation, etc. I am glad that we are close, albeit I rather be closer to 2 of the 3, it seems like we get along well, but we could get along better...
My father, yeah... His love for me is confusing; sure, he helps me monetarily with school and a few other expenses, but when it comes down to saying I love you he is someone who says oh and by the way I love you or he says in a haste ending to his conversation with me. :( I am sometimes hurt to the core when it seems like he says it mechanically, as if a program tells him to say it instead of his heart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God...the love God shows me is being exposed more in my life in different areas and different ways, it's hard for me to pinpoint where God's loving me in every area of my life, but I know he loves me deeply and dearly.
I hate bringing up my father again, but my Heavenly father is a lot closer to me than my Earthly one, and I am torn apart inside and yet I feel completely whole, quite complex I admit... My Heavenly father has gripped me with his love, it is a stream that never runs dry and I constantly go to quench my thirst. I feel loved by Him, it is an amazing feeling to feel suffocated (in a good way) by love -- and not from a human being, but by the God of creation, the Alpha and Omega, the one who chose me before anything was made...wow!
Oh how joyous I am! :)
[n][v]