What a Difference A Week Makes

Well, since I am procrastinating still, I might as well blog...I know this one is long but you should read it all the way through (speaking mainly to J on this!)...

What a difference a week makes. If you would have talked to one of my parental units last week, they would've thought my life was in shambles, leading to a dependence upon some type of drug [well I was on antibiotics last week, but that's besides the point :-)]. With all the work that was upon me, and just a pure unhappiness with my condition, I was buckling, hurting, angry. The difference of moving, the pressure of maintaining holiday events with the youth, the papers, the tests, the amazing pressure from women (oh wait, I don't have that problem, I'm too busy with the prior things) was unheard of. I found myself shaking my fists at God, saying let's do this thing! Of course any fist fight with God would be comical, as I would be punched into oblivion, far worse than being vaporized by a nuclear bomb. And then the weekend happened...And as I was giving a message about peace this past Sunday, God was speaking to me more than anything. And I have been getting to know my new roommate, I have discovered my ability to laugh again. Things have just been falling into place, which attests to the hope sermon I gave the week before.

And now I talked to my paternal unit today, and sure enough he said these words, "Well you sound a lot better than what you were." I realized my voice was calm, relaxed, and purely happy. I wasn't snapping nor clapping...oh wait I meant that in a tonal context with my voice. I wasn't angry, I wasn't rushed, I wasn't dying. It's sort of weird considering the tone of the semester, but here I am, living, breathing...only because of God. He got me through, in a way I could never imagine. He has blessed me with a great life, a great living space, a cool roommate who shares my name (it's confusing when his girlfriend comes over), a great youth group, a great family, and some awesome friends. What a difference a week makes, but God is great, He's awesome, even when I try to disagree...and that is a great thing. If you are in a hard time, know that God will get you through, whether the result is great or not something you wanted (I'm unsure of just one grade this semester), He will get you through, He will keep you, He won't abandon you, He'll shake you up, but that shaking can be awesome for you, for your life, for your character, for the people around you, for your ministry, for your call. Suffering creates character as Pastor Hankins said some odd years ago (the one sermon that has stuck with me for years). Be encouraged for our God is Great!

Aight...it's time to blog

Just completed my last paper before R & R (Reading and Research) week and it feels great! So what will I do? Write...some...more...ok so I'm not always the smartest person when it comes to doing thing chronologically!

I am in the middle of a marathon...but thankfully the front end is loaded with work...and the back end is loaded with fun. I just finished the front end so now tonight, I will be going with some of the teens to Worlds of Fun to enjoy roller coasters and haunted houses. Tomorrow we have a youth event of a autumn sort so I look forward to that. So I'll be running around all over town this weekend (thankfully gas is a mere $2.47 here).

But Sabbath is upon me...sort of...as next week I will have no classes. It will be very nice, plus the maternal unit is coming in. I just hope she doesn't buy a purse while she's here (if you know my mother and I's arguments (not really serious)...it's usually about her getting a new purse). I look forward also to when my paternal unit comes out here next spring to hunt. So family will come here or there.

Other big news...I am no longer going to pursue a Master of Divinity degree. After thinking about it (consciously and sub-consciously) and discussing it with Dr. Spaulding...I will be a Biblical Studies M.A.T.S. there it be!

By the way I hear thunder when it is 47 degrees out...there is something seriously wrong with that. Otherwise not much else is going on...oh and for those who haven't heard yet...I got laid off from the library so I have to find another job and I will likely be finding another place to live because hopefully I can get a job closer to the church therefore I can move closer to the church. (sounds like one of those guys at the end of radio commercials, prices and participation may vary, etc.)