"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
Everyone knows this chapter of the Bible. It is repeated to us so many times in sermons or weddings. However, when you take a second and look at what these verses are saying, you realize how much of a challenge this is. Take the first one, love is patient. I don't know about you, but patience is not something I am naturally gifted with. People frustrate me. Things frustrate me. Life frustrates me.
And God says trust in my plan, I've got your back...just be patient.
Oh.
How do you have patience when things aren't going the way you want them to? How can you just believe that God is going to work it out?
The answer is that we just do. We believe in a God that we cannot see. We believe in a God who is all powerful and is capable of doing everything imaginable. We as human beings, created in the image of our Lord are his children. Therefore, he has a plan for each of us. He's not going to leave us stranded, to do it all on our own. The key is that things happen in accordance to His plan, not ours. And as incredibly frustrating as that can be, it also provides a sense of peace because we do belong to ourselves, but to one God who will take care of each of us. Everyone is going to make a difference in this world, we just have to find the niche that God is calling us to. Some seem to find it before they can even walk, others, like myself, take a little bit longer to get it all together.
Patience, it's going to come together.
Since we believe in God's ultimate plan, we have to take each person, each situation and see the good in it. Every person is placed in our life for a reason, they will impact us somehow. Right now, I see God placing people in my life to teach me patience. I have a lot going on. I'm involved in a bunch of different things at my school and there's just always some people who drive me up a wall. However, I am trying my best each day to see the good that these people have to bring to the table. Give everybody a shot, maybe even a second chance....let's be real, God gives us more chances to do things right than any of us could ever deserve.
It's flipping tough. I struggle every day. But we should all strive to keep our tempers in check, to smile and be polite even when you just want to throw something. Take away positive interactions and experiences and in this way, we can all hopefully be more well rounded in how we handle our lives and see that patience is indeed a virtue that we should all strive for.
"How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success." Elbert Hubbard
"A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else." George Savile
"Patience---learn you must!" Yoda
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Do we mean it?
Sometimes when friends of mine annoy me, I might tell them "I'm gonna kill you" or "I'm going to beat the snot out of you" or something along those lines. Obviously, I don't mean what I'm saying, it's just an expression. But what if everything was just an expression? We never actually did what we said we were going to do...what would the world look like then?
I want to believe that people are genuine in everything that they do, but as I examine myself and look at my own life, I see so many times when I didn't follow through, or I faked my way through something, I didn't give it my all, or I let someone down because of my own selfish desires. Do we mean what we say?
I'm posing that question, because most of the people who will read this post are Christians and I bet at some point in each of our lives we struggled with that awful "lukewarm" feeling. Going through the motions but never believing it or following through on a deeper level than just the surface. Are we the same person at church as we are on a Friday night? I know I'm not sometimes.
That's scary on a whole other level. The world holds Christians to certain standards and I'm not saying we have to focus on where the world views us, but how can we disciple to others if we aren't even genuine in our own lives.
This is where I'm at in my walk with God. I want to be that person that God has in store for me. I don't want to be a faker. I also want to believe that all of my friends and family want the same things for their own lives. I think it's huge to take a step back and analyze where each of us are at. Are we faking it? Do we really mean it as we lift our hands in worship or bow our heads to pray? I hope so, but sometimes, I just don't know.
To quote a song that so many of us know, "What do I stand for? What do I stand for, most nights I don't know anymore."
I know what I stand for. Maybe the issue is I don't know how to show it. Maybe I'm too nervous to show it. Maybe I need help showing it. But I want to mean it when I show it.
Do you?
I want to believe that people are genuine in everything that they do, but as I examine myself and look at my own life, I see so many times when I didn't follow through, or I faked my way through something, I didn't give it my all, or I let someone down because of my own selfish desires. Do we mean what we say?
I'm posing that question, because most of the people who will read this post are Christians and I bet at some point in each of our lives we struggled with that awful "lukewarm" feeling. Going through the motions but never believing it or following through on a deeper level than just the surface. Are we the same person at church as we are on a Friday night? I know I'm not sometimes.
That's scary on a whole other level. The world holds Christians to certain standards and I'm not saying we have to focus on where the world views us, but how can we disciple to others if we aren't even genuine in our own lives.
This is where I'm at in my walk with God. I want to be that person that God has in store for me. I don't want to be a faker. I also want to believe that all of my friends and family want the same things for their own lives. I think it's huge to take a step back and analyze where each of us are at. Are we faking it? Do we really mean it as we lift our hands in worship or bow our heads to pray? I hope so, but sometimes, I just don't know.
To quote a song that so many of us know, "What do I stand for? What do I stand for, most nights I don't know anymore."
I know what I stand for. Maybe the issue is I don't know how to show it. Maybe I'm too nervous to show it. Maybe I need help showing it. But I want to mean it when I show it.
Do you?
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Who let the dogs out?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkuu0Lwb5EM
Everyone knows this classic song. I'm pretty sure I like 8 years old when this catchy tune came out. My cousins and I would sing this song all the time when we saw dogs in the street or on a walk and we would yell yippie yi yo. However, one thing always bothered me, and I'm sure that I am not alone in wondering this: So who actually let the dogs out?
The music video for this song starts with dogs actually getting let out of a cage, but the scene quickly switches over to more of a party atmosphere. Now, so many of today's songs are about partying and that whole life, I want to believe that the dogs in this song are actually dogs and not some sick metaphor. Let's all keep our childhoods intact yea?
So we have now established that real dogs did get out, but we are no closer to finding out who released these pups.
Now, as an avid dog lover I would say that if I walked past a cage full of dogs I would be sorely tempted to release them. No dogs deserve to be locked up. I mean, if you make eye contact with them you are so done for. Who can resist puppy eyes?
This is my old dog Mr. Bojangles. When he would look at me, I would do basically anything for him. So if he wanted out of the cage, I could be snuggled up under a blanket, sipping hot cider and watching a movie and I would still go get up and get him out.
So honestly, I could totally see most of the human population releasing these dogs. However, I do not believe that is the intended meaning of this song that the Baha Men so easily made famous. I have another theory.
These dogs, although we have agreed they are real dogs, I think they stand for something. I think each dog is this crazy feeling, idea, emotion or something inside of each person that everybody can choose to release. This may be obscure but honestly, I think that each person has, is, or will be letting the dogs out. Let those puppies run free and live life to the fullest. Make each of those released dogs count! I want to let the dogs out right now. I will probably keep a few for myself because I love dogs and I really want a Siberian Husky so if I ever see one of those loose, I'm snatching it up, but I want to release the dogs.
I think we should all release the dogs. The Baha Men have it right in a way. Get crazy, have some fun, make memories, don't be afraid to let your awesome ideas fly loose and see where they go.
So in answer to the question, I think everybody let the dogs out.
Everyone knows this classic song. I'm pretty sure I like 8 years old when this catchy tune came out. My cousins and I would sing this song all the time when we saw dogs in the street or on a walk and we would yell yippie yi yo. However, one thing always bothered me, and I'm sure that I am not alone in wondering this: So who actually let the dogs out?
The music video for this song starts with dogs actually getting let out of a cage, but the scene quickly switches over to more of a party atmosphere. Now, so many of today's songs are about partying and that whole life, I want to believe that the dogs in this song are actually dogs and not some sick metaphor. Let's all keep our childhoods intact yea?
So we have now established that real dogs did get out, but we are no closer to finding out who released these pups.
Now, as an avid dog lover I would say that if I walked past a cage full of dogs I would be sorely tempted to release them. No dogs deserve to be locked up. I mean, if you make eye contact with them you are so done for. Who can resist puppy eyes?
This is my old dog Mr. Bojangles. When he would look at me, I would do basically anything for him. So if he wanted out of the cage, I could be snuggled up under a blanket, sipping hot cider and watching a movie and I would still go get up and get him out.
So honestly, I could totally see most of the human population releasing these dogs. However, I do not believe that is the intended meaning of this song that the Baha Men so easily made famous. I have another theory.
These dogs, although we have agreed they are real dogs, I think they stand for something. I think each dog is this crazy feeling, idea, emotion or something inside of each person that everybody can choose to release. This may be obscure but honestly, I think that each person has, is, or will be letting the dogs out. Let those puppies run free and live life to the fullest. Make each of those released dogs count! I want to let the dogs out right now. I will probably keep a few for myself because I love dogs and I really want a Siberian Husky so if I ever see one of those loose, I'm snatching it up, but I want to release the dogs.
I think we should all release the dogs. The Baha Men have it right in a way. Get crazy, have some fun, make memories, don't be afraid to let your awesome ideas fly loose and see where they go.
So in answer to the question, I think everybody let the dogs out.
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Get the turf outta my shirt!
4pm home soccer game today. Sweet, can't wait, let's go. Arrive at field, sit in the grass, because only the parents sit in the bleachers. But wait, that's not actual grass, it just looks like it! What is this fake nonsense! It's turf, and it's going to be a part of your life forever.
We've all had it before. You go to support your friends and you end up covered in black dots. You brush them off in one place just to notice them everywhere else on you. Usually what I end up doing is throwing handfuls of them at people. At least that's entertaining right?
Turf is a relatively new addition to the ever changing world of sports. According to good old Wikipedia it entered the industry in the late 1990's and has exploded since then. There are many positive features of turf. Since it is cushioned, it improves safety and allows players to pivot and turn easier than normal grass would. Downfalls include the fact that is indeed fake grass and it's extremely hot.
So, clearly to make this a reliable blog I had to ask real life soccer stars what it's like to play on turf and if they prefer it over grass. I explored the library and found a few players on the Trinity girls team. According to them, it is worth the risk of finding turf everywhere on them after a game to play on it because it makes for a smoother game. As a fan, I'm a little more skeptical.
I asked our friends from the soccer team if they could think of ways to get "those little black thingies" all over them. They suggested to bring a blanket. Valid point. However, I'm pretty sure I've sat through a game on a blanket and still wondered how I had a handful of those black nuisances in each of my pockets of my pants and in my shoes and up my nose and a million other places. So the blanket idea is great in theory but there's got to be a better way.
So here's a list, I would not say that it is exhaustive in anyway. I'm sure there are more ways to avoid getting turf everywhere.
Sit on other people.
Bleachers....loser status, but I've done it before.
Install a blower or 8 on the fences and you stand under it and it blows all the turf off of you.
Bring a lazy-boy chair.
Watch the game from a blimp or hot air balloon.
Hire people to carry you around during the game. This is a potential work study idea yea?
Pretend that it's not there, and then it won't be there.
Bring that nasty bean bag from West Hall basement and sit on that. Eh, maybe turf's worth it.
For the most part, I think it's just time for us all to accept that turf will always be a part of our lives here at Trinity. In our clothes, in our cars, in our beds, closets, bathrooms etc. These little creatures have successfully invaded our lives and it's ok, because I'm going to support the soccer teams anyway.
And at least it's not sand....
Monday, 23 September 2013
Blessings in Disguise
So the Steelers lost to the Bears last night. Thankfully I didn't get to watch the game, I was busy doing homework, I just got the final score and realized that at 0-3 now, the Steel Curtain has got some hardcore work to do if they want to at least function this year. That's my quick vent session because besides that, it's been a decent past few days.
So, Steelers, get your act together.
The beginning of last week was an outright disaster. Long days at school and in the library along with random other issues that I had not accounted for culminated in a lot of fast food runs and coffee in my hands all the time. However, last Tuesday evening when I was sitting in the library doing more homework and thinking to myself that I might actually be sick of McDoubles for once in my life, a friend came up to me and sat down by me. Thinking this was going to be a random distraction, I was super pleased for anything to talk about. But instead, he stopped by to inform me that some student at our school had been praying for me and wanted it to be kept anonymous, but just for me to know that people are praying for me and that people are willing to help even without me asking for it.
So, person out there, you are an amazingly awesome human being.
This past week taught me a ton about how I relate to people. There's a ton of relationships that need constant checking up on, possible mending, and continual building. I enjoy it. It's fun to be at different states of closeness with people and getting to know everyone better. It's rough at times, but at the end of the day, you still know who feel closest to. Now that is a true blessing.
So, friends and family, you be you and enjoy every second with those around you.
Now we get to the current status of my brain. I'm on overload of joy. I just saw my Kenya family, or at least the majority of them in Grand Rapids over the weekend. I could not be more thankful. We experienced a ton of culture, plenty of art pieces, the occasional game of mafia, too many cats, so many laughs and great conversations. When I'm with them I just want to travel the world again. They do too and we connect to each other on levels that not too many other people can.
So, pals in Grand Rapids, keep being cool and chase those dreams.
Speaking of Kenya, that country needs our prayers. Over the weekend, Westgate Mall in Nairobi which we frequently visited was attacked by Somali terrorists. The death toll reached has now reached 68 people and the situation is not completely under control yet. All attacks like this one are terrible and heartbreaking, but to look at those pictures and realize that we bought food from that mall and just walked around it on many occasions makes it much more real. Kenya is such a great nation, they will recover. It just stinks that people do things like this. I could never understand the reasoning behind these attacks, but what I can do is pray for these people, both the attackers and the victims and the whole nation.
So, Kenya, you are not forgotten, we love you.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack
Let us also remember the people of Pakistan. Over the weekend, two suicide bombers destroyed the front of a church and killed at least 85 people. We live in a broken world, but prayer is powerful.
So, people of Pakistan and all over the world, stay strong and preach the name of Jesus.
This morning, I called my credit card company with a question. It was 6am in Arizona when I called. The man who answered however was wide awake and extremely enthusiastic about everything. He not only answered my question but he asked me how I was doing, what my plans were for the day, how school was going and just talked to me about his life as well. I sat in my car on the phone with him for 20 minutes and I will say that started my Monday off on the right foot. Not everybody who answers a phone is angry, isn't that nice.
So, man in Arizona, I hope you have an amazing day.
So, readers, enjoy the warmish weather before it turns deathly cold and have a great day.
So, Steelers, get your act together.
The beginning of last week was an outright disaster. Long days at school and in the library along with random other issues that I had not accounted for culminated in a lot of fast food runs and coffee in my hands all the time. However, last Tuesday evening when I was sitting in the library doing more homework and thinking to myself that I might actually be sick of McDoubles for once in my life, a friend came up to me and sat down by me. Thinking this was going to be a random distraction, I was super pleased for anything to talk about. But instead, he stopped by to inform me that some student at our school had been praying for me and wanted it to be kept anonymous, but just for me to know that people are praying for me and that people are willing to help even without me asking for it.
So, person out there, you are an amazingly awesome human being.
This past week taught me a ton about how I relate to people. There's a ton of relationships that need constant checking up on, possible mending, and continual building. I enjoy it. It's fun to be at different states of closeness with people and getting to know everyone better. It's rough at times, but at the end of the day, you still know who feel closest to. Now that is a true blessing.
So, friends and family, you be you and enjoy every second with those around you.
Now we get to the current status of my brain. I'm on overload of joy. I just saw my Kenya family, or at least the majority of them in Grand Rapids over the weekend. I could not be more thankful. We experienced a ton of culture, plenty of art pieces, the occasional game of mafia, too many cats, so many laughs and great conversations. When I'm with them I just want to travel the world again. They do too and we connect to each other on levels that not too many other people can.
So, pals in Grand Rapids, keep being cool and chase those dreams.
Speaking of Kenya, that country needs our prayers. Over the weekend, Westgate Mall in Nairobi which we frequently visited was attacked by Somali terrorists. The death toll reached has now reached 68 people and the situation is not completely under control yet. All attacks like this one are terrible and heartbreaking, but to look at those pictures and realize that we bought food from that mall and just walked around it on many occasions makes it much more real. Kenya is such a great nation, they will recover. It just stinks that people do things like this. I could never understand the reasoning behind these attacks, but what I can do is pray for these people, both the attackers and the victims and the whole nation.
So, Kenya, you are not forgotten, we love you.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/22/world/africa/kenya-mall-attack
Let us also remember the people of Pakistan. Over the weekend, two suicide bombers destroyed the front of a church and killed at least 85 people. We live in a broken world, but prayer is powerful.
So, people of Pakistan and all over the world, stay strong and preach the name of Jesus.
This morning, I called my credit card company with a question. It was 6am in Arizona when I called. The man who answered however was wide awake and extremely enthusiastic about everything. He not only answered my question but he asked me how I was doing, what my plans were for the day, how school was going and just talked to me about his life as well. I sat in my car on the phone with him for 20 minutes and I will say that started my Monday off on the right foot. Not everybody who answers a phone is angry, isn't that nice.
So, man in Arizona, I hope you have an amazing day.
So, readers, enjoy the warmish weather before it turns deathly cold and have a great day.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Club 11 Happenings
Scene: Homework being done in my bedroom on this past Tuesday night.
*Door flies open*
Calob: Guys stop doing your homework now.
Us: Umm why?
Calob: We are playing sardines with the lights off in the whole house.
Us: Yes please.
We then proceeded to play about an hour of very interesting sardines. When the lights are off in our house, it's almost impossible to see or find anything. The basement is not even fair. I was blind and groping in the dark, terrified that I was going to step on something or run into things. I ended up going through the floor with one of my feet on accident. However, all is well.
What should have been a normal Tuesday night ended up being a goofy night of 5th grade fun. I'll take that over senior year of college homework any day. I completely love every minute I get to spend in 6107 W. 129th place. My roommates are the kind of friends that everyone wants to be friends with. But wait, does everybody know who they are? Lets do a quick bio.
Andrew Mulder
About: Senior in college, Accounting major, loves the Packers, anything Wisconsin goes, could go for a good game of golf any day, consistently calm even amongst all of our excessive drama, likes shoes.
Movie Character: Jason Bourne
Favorite Food: Burgers
Ben DeYoung (Benny D, Bennyboo)
About: Senior in college, Criminal Justice major, Chicago sports, music-both singing and instruments, complete goofball, great impressionist, abysmal cook.
Movie Character: Batman
Favorite Food: Pizza
Brandon Doorn
About: Senior in college, Accounting major, Packers, Texas, Cubs, so he's all over the board, knows every stat to everything, has a better kill to death ratio in Call of Duty than you do, Youth Group leader.
Movie Character: Gary Bertier
Favorite Food: Burgers
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Pause for 10 seconds, life is flipping busy
1 week into school.
Pause. I'm exhausted. Mentally, my classes are going to challenge me to do my best on all levels of expertise in my field. After all, I am a senior, it makes sense that these classes are more realistic to life after college. Emotionally, there is a lot going on. All sorts of people in my life are going through times of change, possibility of transitions to new positions, highs and lows of all sorts, it's crazy how much a day can change things. Physically, my right leg hurts as well as my right eye currently, but I believe that there is an eyelash in it. Spiritually, God is here, I feel him. Now can I fully trust that he's got me? There's so many questions I want him to answer. Right now. But he teaches us to be content with where we are and that he hears us no matter what. Prayers will be answered how he sees fit.
Woof. Reality check. I have no idea what's going on in my life, whether it be next year or next week. I don't even know how today is going to go. But he does. He's got that plan.
Pause. Classes are so busy. Projects on projects. Seniors, I know you feel me. Freshman year was such a joke compared to this. However, these classes will be rewarding and I will be learning a ton.
Pause. Labor Day. September 2. A bunch of friends took time out of their busy schedules to grill, chill and be still for a few hours at our house. Activities included fires, food, wiffleball, bags, horseshoes, random running around, and straight lounging on the back porch. It was a great time, even though it did nothing positive for my motivation in school.
Pause. The girl next to me in the library is slaying dragons as a warrior princess with a crazy sword.
Anywho, life can't pause forever. But it is good to take a few minutes and sit back to catch up with everything and everyone. Thank God for what is going right. Thank others for staying by you even on days where all you want to do is sleep.
"If God brought you to it, he will lead you through it."
Pause. I'm exhausted. Mentally, my classes are going to challenge me to do my best on all levels of expertise in my field. After all, I am a senior, it makes sense that these classes are more realistic to life after college. Emotionally, there is a lot going on. All sorts of people in my life are going through times of change, possibility of transitions to new positions, highs and lows of all sorts, it's crazy how much a day can change things. Physically, my right leg hurts as well as my right eye currently, but I believe that there is an eyelash in it. Spiritually, God is here, I feel him. Now can I fully trust that he's got me? There's so many questions I want him to answer. Right now. But he teaches us to be content with where we are and that he hears us no matter what. Prayers will be answered how he sees fit.
Woof. Reality check. I have no idea what's going on in my life, whether it be next year or next week. I don't even know how today is going to go. But he does. He's got that plan.
Pause. Classes are so busy. Projects on projects. Seniors, I know you feel me. Freshman year was such a joke compared to this. However, these classes will be rewarding and I will be learning a ton.
Pause. Labor Day. September 2. A bunch of friends took time out of their busy schedules to grill, chill and be still for a few hours at our house. Activities included fires, food, wiffleball, bags, horseshoes, random running around, and straight lounging on the back porch. It was a great time, even though it did nothing positive for my motivation in school.
Pause. The girl next to me in the library is slaying dragons as a warrior princess with a crazy sword.
Anywho, life can't pause forever. But it is good to take a few minutes and sit back to catch up with everything and everyone. Thank God for what is going right. Thank others for staying by you even on days where all you want to do is sleep.
"If God brought you to it, he will lead you through it."
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