craigonian's Xanga

Autumn

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 03:23:48 GMT

First post in a while, and it won't be epiphanous... "Yesterday felt like autumn"

     That's it... that is what has inspired me to break my fasting of xanga. I love autumn! The natural world getting sleepy and preparing for its rest. The temperature drops and you start putting on jackets... you start to faintly see your breath when you exhale... the leaves change color... its great.

     I am from upstate New York, and anyone who has witnessed a New England autumn will agree that it is a thing of beauty. The number of colors that you see and the intensity and vibrancy is breath taking. Drive through the mountains under a tunnel of maple trees lining both sides of the road, and suddenly come out on a view of some sprawling valley full of color... natural color better than any artist can imagine. New England autumn is as if God has chosen one place on the earth to set up his easel and show his majesty. This is one of my favourite rememberances of why I worship such an awesome God.

     Yes yes, I know how this sounds, but it is something that I love. I haven't been home for a New England autumn in about 11 years. Its really weird to think that, but for some reason its always autumn that makes me stop to think about just how long its been since I really lived at home. Its been 11 years since my last birthday at home, Easter is 11, Thanksgiving 11, Christmas is 6 years.... What is it about autumn that causes people to think and remember?

     Here is a question: So, autumn is my favorite season out of the year. While everyone can agree that we are glad to see summer come, people usually split both ways on whether they like autumn or spring. I wonder if it says anything about a person as to whether they like spring or autumn better. So the question would be, "which do you like better, spring or autumn... and why?". Alright, that's it... I'm done... have a good day all

Monday, July 10, 2006

Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:41:27 GMT

Alright, so I've been back home for about a week now and it is so good to be home. I never really miss it until I get back and realize... I am jet lagging like I have never done before... so bad!! The highlight so far has been getting to go visit my brother. Anyone who knows about my brother's situation right now would know that it would be a little akward; but circumstances aside, it's been great seeing him. He is in good spirits all things considering, but if you would, please pray for him that he would continue in safety and joy. My parents internet doesn't work worth crap... so I am at the public library (not libary).... saying that so that you know why my entry is so condensed. Have fun everyone... especially my camp peeps...

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:11:32 GMT

so busy... so tired.... whew! camp!!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Wed, 24 May 2006 13:42:14 GMT

Inspired by (and starting in response to) a friend's post:

Good goo... I totally agree... I really don't think that it is xanga that has become boring however, but life that is boring... No, I'm not bad mouthing life in a "I'm sick of it" kind of way (I am so grateful for the life and ministry that God has given me), but agreeing that the monotony doesn't lend itself well to updates lately. I know that God is constantly at work all around me all the time, and I am blessed eternally beyond my deserving, but yes not much going on lately to post about.
I will say that I am so incredibly sad to think that my seniors are going to be graduating. Not like the cute little year book scribble kind of sad, but some serious heart wrenching sad. I know that "men" aren't supposed to talk like that, but I am seriously bummed... I'm not letting myself think about it right now... Man, I'm gonna miss them... Wow, I don't want to end my first post in forever like that though... So we'll try this...
God is good... I've been reading in Romans lately and how God gave us the law, not to condemn us, but to free us. We as Christians seek to know God's heart (or should), and God's character. He has told us all about Himself through the Bible, and announced Himself in His creation. He has revealed His pristine being, and the conflict that arises from all the stuff that is not in His nature (sin). He has given us the law, not so that we can know when we have done wrong, but so that we as essentially sinful people can know what is good. If I were to live according to my sinful nature, what chance would I have of knowing what is good; of experiencing goodness? God has given us laws not to highlight what is bad, but to highlight what is good and what is right. Not that doing right makes us righteous, (knowing that only God Himself through His Son can do that) but the peace and joy that comes from communion and alignment with God's will. Our eternity with God starts now. We are not saved to someday sit at the throne of God... we are saved to draw close to that throne even now... sort of a "getting there is half the fun" kinda thing. God is so good to us, and so careful to show us, not only how to stay out of trouble, but to stay inside of Him.

That's a much better way to end than the way I'd almost ended it... Night all... (oh yeah, and I CANNOT get this song up there out of my head)

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Wed, 03 May 2006 14:03:44 GMT

Ahhh... its about time that I updated.... I was going to continue with my Philippines logs, but I've either talked to or e-mailed just about everyone that reads my xanga. Not much going on right now. Had my birthday in Seoul this last Friday with some friends that happened to be off duty also... thanks my peeps... It's also allergy season, so that's exciting; in like a horribly annoying itching, burning, sneezing way... hahahahhhhhhhhh-choo

Man, nothing going on.... well, I'm off tomorrow... maybe something momentous will happen and then I can write about that.... In the mean time, tell me the best song that you've heard in the last three days... I'm gonna say 'Duncan Sheik- She Runs Away' .... night all....

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 13:26:44 GMT

     Alright, so I've been back from the Philippines for a couple of days now, but I've been really tired and to tell the truth I haven't really known just how I can put into words what I experienced.      First of all, God is good. Not just to me, and not just here in my little life, but to so many people all over the world. Everytime I go to a new place, I see more of God and his love and power in the land and the lives of its people.
     In this case, I got to see it in the hospitality of the Filipinos that we met and got to know over the course of the week. Working with us all through the week was one Mr. Leo. He was our contact while we were there (kinda like a genie, in that when we needed something and brought it to him, he just made it happen.... no matter how random or sudden) He is a good man. We also had a large group of volunteers from a local university that was always around helping at the build site and just hanging out in our down time. It was a good week of experiencing different ideas and culture. Even more was seeing the same God... on the flip side though was seeing the same need for God that we see everywhere else in the world. So many nice and friendly people who are living life outside of the saving relationship of Jesus Christ. Like Nikole had said, even in looking at this "beautiful and simple" little village and their lifestyle, the same basic sins that plague man were made evident.... Our God is huge, and our need for him is just as huge.... "our need" as all of man in all of the world...
     The people that we met on this trip were so open and friendly though. A far cry from where I grew up. Every where we went, we were greeted with callings of 'hello' and an abundance of waves. It was like a parade when we drove down the road. Even more was their openness in sharing their lives and their care for our comfort and well being. It is an uncomfortable thing for people with less than you to cater to your every need, but they did it because they were genuinley concerned about how we were being cared for.      I've said it before, but I've been all over Asia and I've never met a people as kind and instantly friendly as the Filipino people. They were a huge blessing to us this week... I plan to write more about the trip, but I think I am going to do it one aspect at a time.... so check back again soon... night all

This is Kara Simons, Nikole Simpson, and I on top of a Jeepney... Nikole and Kara were two of the "sponsor ladies" that went on our trip...

This is Scott Poole, Amy Dolgener, and Harm.... Harm something or other, I never really could say his last name let alone spell it.... Harm was an awesome guy, but more about him in another post... Scott and Amy were also sponsors on our trip, while Harm was a volunteer that joined our group for the week... but joined our hearts for a lifetime... sniff

This is myself and Mr. Leo on the last night, just after the house dedication ceremony... he was a very competent man, and even more he was fun and intelligent and personable...

Just a few of the university students that volunteered and chilled with us during the week... fun people... full of laughter and songs...

Saturday, April 01, 2006

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 15:30:05 GMT

I got 31 real and a 'slew' of the duds.... hmmmm....

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:16:04 GMT

I'm off to the Philippines... laters gators...

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:11:38 GMT

     Man I love this weather. This is the time of year that I start taking my guitar outside everynight and sit playing under the star.... (lousy smog). Yeah, its a great time of year.
     So, most of the stuff is set for my mission trip to the Philippines. Most people reading this will already know that I am taking a group of students to work with Habitat For Humanity this Thrusday. I'll tell you what, I will certainly be glad when all this planning stuff is over and I can just go do things.... I'm sick of planning. We will be gone for about a week, and any prayers that you would care to offer up would be appreciated. Please pray not only for safety, but also for opportunity. Pray that we would reach hearts not only with the people that we will be going to serve, but also hearts on our own team. My request of God is that this time will be nothing but the fullness of His will.... the FULLNESS of my God is a thing beyond thought or word... and my prayer is that what we do there will be beyond what we can describe or even realize.
     I was reading about the Great Commission the other night... and had been reading about Abraham a couple of months ago; I made a connection that I hadn't made before, (I love God for a living word). Abraham was told that with his obedience to God, that God would bless all the nations through his seed... that sounds gross, so I'll say descendants.... We know that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this blessing to all the earth, and when Jesus told His followers to go out to all people preaching the good news... He was continuing in that promise to Abraham. We are involved in a 3000 year old promise to Abraham, and the plan of God from before time. When we go out into the world preaching the good news of Jesus Christ, we are not people going to spread the word of Jesus. To just say those words don't in anyway depict exactly how big it is. We are going into the world bringing a blessing that will change lives... that will change nations... we are bringing the blessing of Abraham, the love of Christ, and the intensely considerate design and will of our Heavenly Father. I know that most people know that such things are a big matter, but the scope of it all.... it makes me very quiet.... how do you respond to that except with quiet admiration and thunderous poundings of your heart. My God is an awesome God.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 10:04:34 GMT

God, use me more... and if you're trying to, then help me to see... and if I can't handle it right now, then make me to grow...