I strive, yet I limp...

Working in a secular environment is one of the most challenging things spiritually I have ever experienced. I've worked at Applebee's for five and a half years and it has by far been more of ministry than I ever intended it or imagined it ever would be. I've seen it all. The drugs, the parties, the sex, the sexual promiscuity, the humor, the explitives, the fun, the mad, the fights, the drama, oh the drama--never ending soap operas. I have to make a conscious choice each day I go to work to love. If you ever want to see the depravity of man, work in a restaurant for a couple of months and you will literally see it all. It hurts! It breaks my heart to see that people, real life human beings, have nothing to live for. They are searching for something to fill that void in their life that never seems to go away but only grow bigger and heavier. What's even more sad is that I have the answer to that void, and yet, I choose to do nothing about it half the time.
You see, I had a very rough night at work tonight. I went in at 3:45 in the afternoon as usual, no big deal. I just now got home and its nearly 3AM. Almost twelve hours later, I am sitting here still trying to sort things out in my head. God has really burdened me of late about being a genuine living testimony for Him. In order to do that I have to be who I am, the good and the bad. The bottom line is that I still have a sinful side of me that wins battles on occasion. It wounds so to speak. Tonight I am bleeding and it hurts. So, I ask all my fellow brothers and sisters in this family we call Christ to pray for me. I'm limping right now. I so strive to be a living testimony and a reflection of who Christ is! I cannot do this in my own strength. I feel as if God has given me a duty or responsibility to love those I work with. After all, how can I condemn them for serving their master faithfully? They are doing what they are programmed to do--sin. As a follower of the Way I want to be a living representation of my God and Master in their life. That's all that I can do, "for I am crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live, but Christ liveth in me." If everyone could do me a huge favor it would be much appreciated. Next time you go out to eat, really try to make your servers night. Leave a "good" tip and make their night in the love of Christ. You never know how much that may mean in their life. I've waited on church groups galore and if I weren't a believer already there's nothing I would be attracted to. That's sad! So, even if its only a couple of dollars more than you would normally give, try it. Servers do not forget those who treat them well. It is a reflection on you and ultimately God. Love you all! Good night!

Bath Towels and Paper!

Well, well! The semester is officially underway and off to a speedy start. I'm only taking twenty-three hours, so, it should be a breeze. They say that you're supposed to study two hours outside of class for every hour you take in class. So, lets do the math. Twenty-three hours times two equals, hmmmm, 46? I think I can swing it! Twenty-three hours of class time, forty-six hours of study time, twenty hours of work, and oh yeah, church. That equals over ninety hours of occupied time. I think that qualifies for being a full-time student. But you know what? When I walk across that stage come May (and yes I am walking saying I pass all of my classes), it will all be worth it. When Dr. A hands me that servant's towel, I will be like "yes, this is what I worked so hard for and paid $40,000 for--a bath towel." Amen? And oh yeah, a little piece of paper as well that makes me a credible person in our society.

Anyways, I really am excited about some of my classes this semester. I'm taking two freshman classes--Speech and Gospels and Acts. I finally have to take speech and there's no dropping it this time around. I am excited about looking into the Gospels and studying the life of Christ. It's so intriguing to study His life in light of the Jewish faith. Oh yeah, if anybody wants to check out a sweet website on Jewish perspectives of our faith, check out www.jerusalemperspective.com It's like $20 for a student membership, but it will rock your chacos or smartwools or Birks or Crocs or whatever you wear right off you feet.

Well, I have to go and study now (I wonder why?).

Peace and Love in HIM!

Itchy Feet and Little Freedom

Can you believe that we're already seven days into January? Blows my mind. I've been working like this entire break which is weird for me. I believe this is the first break from school that I actually haven't really gone anywhere. It's sort of refreshing in ways, but at times rather depressing. I love to travel. I love to go to other places. At the same time, I've enjoyed staying in WV and actually having a little freedom. I've been to Fayetteville at least once a week and I'm headed there tomorrow night once again. Some friends and I are going to Pies and Pints to get some pizza and some, well, anyways. Let's see, I suppose classes start on Wednesday. Killer semester, but hopefully the last. I've committed to go back to Colorado at least for the summer. I'm already getting itchy feet. It's a paradox. I miss the mountains here when I'm out there, but I miss the rugged peaks of the Rockies when I'm home. I guess you can't have both. I've really been missing Israel of late as well. Seeing all this news of Ariel Sharon makes me miss my friends in Israel. I need to get over there again sometime in the next year or so. Anyone up for hiking the Israel trail with me? It goes from the southern tip on the Red Sea all the way to the northern border with Lebanon. It can be done in about a month. So, if you have a month and you really don't know what to do with it, let me know and we could literally hike the entire country of Israel and hang out with some cool people along the way. We have to spend at least a few days in Jerusalem as well. That place rocks my Smartwools off (it's winter, otherwise it would be Chacos;o)

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy you're last few days of true freedom before school starts back. It's time to start planning for spring break. Any suggestions? It will probably be Florida this spring. Can't afford the gas to go to Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Florida can hold it's own, plus I know some people and all that jazz. Any other suggestions? Let me know! I'm always open for spontaneous trips. It definitely needs to involve camping and preferably warmer weather than WV which isn't saying much.