It's been a long time since I've posted! Things have been very busy. Today is non-stop from 8A.M. to 10P.M.; I found some time during my lunch hour while doing my homework to write this! Haha. If nothing else I'd like to let all of you know I love you and will make my best effort to read over what I've missed.

I leave you with three thoughts...

1) YOU, as a member of His church, are God's plan A for saving the world, and there is no plan B.

2) CHRIST should be your plan A for living a life full of joy and purpose, and you won't be needing a plan B. You are Christ's ambassador, a vessel of the Holy Spirit, sent to distribute His love and word to the world.

3) PEOPLE out there have no plan A, B, or C. They are lost and confused in an uncaring culture. They have misconceptions about who Christ is and what His church is; it should be your primary focus in life to correct that misconception with grace and love.

When does the oath of man grow faint
to his lover or his God
which with such passion met no restraint
in a moment of emotion

Now wretched does he mourn his tower
incomplete and tattered
'til starry eyed and 'gain empowered
he swears his newest notion

"The wise man must be patient, must never be too hot-hearted, nor too hasty of speech, nor too fearful, nor too glad, nor too greedy for wealth, nor ever too eager to boast before he has thought clearly. A man must wait, when he speaks in boast, until he knows clearly, sure-minded, where the thoughts of his heart may turn.

So the wise man spoke in his heart, sat apart in private meditation. He is good who keeps his word; a man must never utter too quickly his breast's passion, unless he knows first how to achieve remedy, as a leader with his courage. It will be well with him who seeks favor, comfort from the Father in heaven, where for us all stability resides."

... easier said than done.

Man's observation:
"He who is alone often lives to find favor...
Often before the day dawned I have had to speak of my cares,
alone: there is now none among the living to whom I dare clearly
express the thought of my heart."

- The Wanderer
God's instruction:
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men,
to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from
your Father in heaven."

- Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care
upon Him, for He cares for you."

- 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV)

---

"And every day I look forward to when the Lord's Cross that I beheld here on earth will fetch me from this short life and bring me then where joy is great, delight in the heavens, where the Lord's folk are seated at the feast, where bliss is eternal. And then may it place me where thenceforth I may dwell in glory, fully enjoy bliss with the saints. May the Lord be my friend, who once here on earth suffered on the gallows-tree for man's sins: He freed us and granted us life, a heavenly home. Hope was renewed, with joys and bliss, to those who endured fire."

- The Dream of the Rood

One of the first things I noticed when I got back to my apartment in Abilene while I was cleaning up was a small Moleskine I had started to journal in last January. I never made it to February. Hah! I got a new Moleskine this Christmas but I think I'll make very good use of this one as it's very handy. It's a year calendar with plenty of space to write in dates and notes. I've enjoyed it immensely during just the first couple weeks of use. They are really great little notebooks or journals, and there are plenty of different kinds to choose from.

Another spiffy gadget I acquired is a KVM USB switch for my computers. I bought myself a new wireless keyboard and mouse that use only one USB receiver so that I could hook my printer up to the switch as well. Now when I come home I just have to get my laptop out of my bag and plug it in and keep it closed. I can use my large monitor, keyboard, and mouse for either computer at the touch of the button - or even a hotkey (Num lock twice). I'm really basking in the awesomeness of it all right now. My laptop is the only one I can get internet on in my apartment since I don't have a wireless card for my PC, so now I can use a big kid keyboard again. I play music on my PC then hit the hotkey to get online and look over class notes.

Over the break I read Lee Strobel's The Case For Faith. I had read The Case For Christ and enjoyed it, but I feel this one far exceeded it. I really recommend The Case For Faith as it has a lot of great insights into the nature of God whilst trying to answer very difficult questions such as why bad things happen to good people and vice versa, the purpose and reality of hell, and other common agnostic questions about miracles and evolution. It's a great read to prepare your mind for that coming moment when you'll get put on the spot by someone struggling with their faith - and for solidifying your own. Also over the break I was in a couple Bible classes with Bruce Utley on Job and The Controversial Jesus which were great.

This break was exactly what I needed. I had a great time in Big Bend with my dad and the Zimmers, enjoyed being with the family for Christmas and even got to see Jesse LaRue near the end there. I once again managed to embarrass myself by forgetting that Jesse and Amber are not yet married. With all these people my age getting married I'm not keeping very good track any more. Jesse asked me to be a Groomsmen, but unfortunately his wedding is on the same day I'm flying out to Guatemala for my medical mission. I'm really excited to be back in Abilene though; I can't wait for Monday when classes start. Guatemala will be here before I know it too which is exciting. I am just extremely blessed beyond my understanding - as usual.

Hope you all are doing well and had wonderful breaks too.