Monday, April 17, 2006

Foiled Joy

There were two times in my life where I've spoiled my own suprise, and it always took some of the joy away from the actual gift. The first was a Christmas present. I had asked my parents for a bike because I wanted to start riding every day (hey, I did it for a while, now I use it for college). As Christmas was approaching I decided to go into the guest room to get something or other, and there in the corner by the bed stood a beautiful mountain bike. When my parents brought it out Christmas morning I was excited, but not half as excited as I would have been had I not known I was getting it. Some of the 'flavor' was sucked from my joy. The other instance was my nineteenth birthday. It was summer and we had an intern at our church who was really good about hanging out with my little brother. He called the house and asked for Thomas. In a moment of immaturity I listened to their conversation for two seconds; two seconds too long. He informed my brother that there was a surprise for my birthday that afternoon. I hung up feeling dissapointed. I knew that joys of being surprised before and at that moment I understood how it felt to have a surprise ruined. It was even worse because it was my fault.
So why all this about ruining surprises and such? Well last Wednessday at RUF (Reformed University christian Fellowship) we had a girl's night and we talked about sexual purity. I was thinking about my upcoming birthday and about this subject (and looking at wedding dresses like a silly little girl); don't start the honey moon early. Besides the most important issue of waiting for marriage because God commands us to, the fact is, sex outside of marriage is like a spoiled gift. It is like someone taking a present, a very precious present, giving it to one person, taking it back, then giving it to someone else. It looses it's value and the joy it brings. The present bares evidence of being handled by someone else. It's like the Seinfeld episode where the dentist gets a present from Elaine, then gives it to Jerry. A 'regifter' I believe is the term used. And how much more valuble are our bodies? Scripture says that out bodies are a temple, God's temple. So don't start the honey moon early. Don't peek under the wrapping paper. Be patient, and God will bless you.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Peruvian Beach

Yawn, I was getting ti-red! But that trip rocked despite the exhaustion. I would do it again in a second.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

All in Vain?

In a world where everything you do is analyzed to death, you start to feel like a statistic. Sociologists say you're a product of society and basically have no hope of being something new, psychologists say that you're a product of you're experiences (from childhood of course) and argue how much is nurture or nature, and some say it all has to do with sin. Honestly, looking at little kids (those least exposed to society and experiences) I'd have to argree that the way we are roots back to sin nature. Kids don't have to be taught the word "mine", nor do parents have to teach them how to be disrespectful. Parents do, hawever, have to teach kids how to share and be polite. One very personal example I've found is my cousin. His parents have done an excellent job of disciplining and loving him and yet he has basically thrown away bits and pieces of his life. So should we give up, believing that our best efforts are worthless and let future generations rot and decay? No. For there is One who has power over the all consuming sin nature. One who "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped", one who "gave His life as a ransom for many". Jesus came to earth, was tempted in every way, conquered in every way, paid the pentalty for our sins by dying on the cross, and rose again. He left us the Holy Spirit to be our life renewer and guide. Just think. Christ left His Father's throne above...to make a wretch His treasure. Chew on that.

Monday, April 10, 2006

More Kristen and Jessica

More Jessica and Kristen. Jessica is probably my best friend, but then again girls can have tons of best friends.

Sleigh?


These are my friends Kristen and Jessica. I think they're in Dallas, but really I don't know what they are doing.

Scary


I'm not sure I need to say anything else.

Large African Field Mouse


Oh yeah, I got to ride an elephant at Ren Fest. It was pretty super sweet!

Sword


Ok, so not the best picture of my, but hey, I'm holding a HUGE sword!

Sweet CD Cover


"this kinda looks like somethin out of a beatles music video..." Megan DeBruler. Me and my friend Lisa walking on campus.

Lima


In Lima playing with the pigeons.

Stubborn Stump

Before we got the stump pulled out.

Peru RUF


Peru Mission Trip: We got to hang out with some of the University students in Trujillo who participate in their version of RUF.

Kelly Wedding

This is me and some high school friends at my friend's wedding. This picture was taken before I got sweaty.

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Stump

Mission to Peru. This stump took hours to get out of the ground. It was a little stubborn.

Just Me


Just a pick of me. I was getting tired.

Future Roomies and Then Some


Can you tell that I'm going to be the shortest room mate?

Future Roomies


So I thought for a first "blurp" that I'd put up a pick of my and one of my future roomies. Isn't Kendra pretty with her gorgeous brown hair?