"Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems." 
                                                                                  
                                                                                                                Rene Descarte

Learning to learn from previous lessons learned.

Putting into Perspective

3 ESSAYS + 2 EXAMS 2GO!

Freedom is at the tip of my fingers....the TIP OF MY FREAKIN FINGERS!!

I'm attending the Evolving Church Conference this weekend, and i'm pretty excited. I just Love the Name of the event... it's actually why I'm going :) Although I've got alot of school work to do, this conference is definitly worth the time considering how lonely an amateur emergent reader and thinker can be. I need fresh and new ideas, I need to hear REAL stories, actual examples that can connect these new mentalities with practical actions. How can this new found freedom be contained within a structure? How can I balance my new thought processes with my place as a leader?  I've got alot of questions that I hope to get answered this Saturday. Never been to a conference by myself before.. I've never hit up this kind of scene before...no one knows me, i know no one... I like it. 

Life has really been attempting to take over me these days. I've been feeling the pressure of DEFEAT mounting on my shoulders and the whispers of discouragment every way I turn (that's right... i said 'whispers'). Although the weight is heavy... I've decided to embrace this boulder, NOT as a burden, but as strength-builder. The temptation to victimize myself is high, but I feel like I'm slowly conquering those urges to endulge in self-pitty. These internal battles are literally forcing me to step into a new dimension of my life.

"... let us run with perseverance the race marked out fo us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,..." Heb. 12

I feel as if I've taken a sip of water after a long run in the desert. It's not much, but it satisfies my thirst.

When I take a look at my pain, I feel a need to join with it how He "endured the cross, scorning its shame". When i take a look at what I lack, i feel the need to join with it those kids I saw in Indo with no mother or father. When i take a look at my trials, i feel the need to join with it the hopelessness of those in my life who see no better option then to die.

When i take into account the pain, lack and trials of those around me - my own difficulties seem to fade. Not that it disappears, but it becomes overpowered by suffering of those you love.

One priest was quoted in the Globe & Mail stating,

"If I think of someone else, even for a moment, I begin to be transformed,"

Maybe the source of our own transformation takes place when we take part in the transforamtion of another.

Working Today from 3-10:30 if anyone wants to DROP BY.

Back to the ESSAY....peace

Dealing w/ 'REALITY'

2 WEEKS LEFT OF FORMAL EDUCATION!!! I hope...

It's been a crazy month for me! And when looking back I can honestly say that I'm pretty damn proud of myself... I'm taking risks, moving forward, and stretching myself beyond what i could've ever imagined.

These days I'm TRYING to live simple, being alittle more carefree.. but the reality is that life's..pretty... complicated! 'Simple' doesn't seem to follow me ANYWHERE I go! This ain't a new phenomenon in my life, complication that is... so in a way for me to be suprized is for me to be naive.

Accepting the 'reality' of life can be discouraging at times, but realizing that 'reality' is the starting point of your life's adventures, helps build hope rather than defeat. The only way to cope with and make the most of 'reality', is to see it as a place to lauch rather then a dead end.

It's been a long time since I've posted anything... and it's all facebooks fault. While on the topic...in comparing facebook to xanga (considering i have an essay due in acouple of hours and no time to be bothering with the issue.. :) i've noticed that the only reason people are drawn to one is that it doesn't involve much thinking or care. Facebook kinda feels like a 'quicky', it's got a 'one night stand' feel to it don't u think? Alot of surface level stuff. Accept a friend here, read mediocre comments there, look at some pictures... it all doesn't mean much. 

We need to come back to the time where we place the TIME and EFFORT into each blog we post! AMEN?! All this 'wall posting' buisness on facebook has drifted us from the depth of thought-provoking blogs. WHERE'S THE SUBSTANCE PEOPLE! okay.... this post is getting out of HAND. I'm just using it to avoid my essay i gotta to write... so i'll leave the issue for the moment. I apologize for the randomness... i'm not thinking straight right now, too much to do!! TOO MUCH TO DO!!

2 more PAGES TO GO!!!

momentary freedom STARTING 5 hrs from now.....

have a blessed day people :)

nothing personal

What's wrong with my freakin facebook?! It's not opening up! I know you feel neglected xanga, and i'm sorry i had to vent out my facebook frustrations on you but i hope you understand. Don't feel used, it's nothing personal.

Back to the issue...Is anyone else having trouble getting on facebook? 

I WILL GO!

These past 2 days have been LOADED!! I just got hit up with so much practical, in my face, real, fruit producing ministry that my eyes can't even stay open writing this post. It's 12am and I'm done for the day. Being here in LA has really opened my eyes to see what happens when God's presence is joined with our obedience. I've never seen so many Christians in one group who all have a mandate to make disciples. Never have I seen a church movement that has no idle congregation members just waiting for another good message or a more inspirational worship set. They all seem to have this personal drive to see God's kingdom be established on the campus of UCLA.

I'm pretty humbled right now... Everytime I go out of the country I seem to get a little more humbled. Traveling don't help the ego :)

I've learned alot, but I feel like I'm just skimming the surface. Excited for tomorrow.

OH...and IN-N-OUT was ammmmazzzzzingggg!!! It's this fast food joint here in LA that's just so good for some reason. I'd say it was probably 20% of the reason why I decided to come here...haha. Sad i know, but it's goooood. I don't know how you just left here Dave, Dental school over IN-N-OUT? You gots to get dem priorities straight boi!

I'd write more but I'm gonna pass out any second, so bye for now TORONTO - enjoy the exams and the beautiful snow. I'll try to survive down here on my mission to LA, it was a hard call to follow, but I said to my Lord that I will GO where ever you send me, I WILL GO. I guess it's all part of taking up my cross.

SEND ME LORD! SEND ME! Muuuaahahahahahaha!