Links
Archives
- 12/01/2003 - 01/01/2004
- 01/01/2004 - 02/01/2004
- 02/01/2004 - 03/01/2004
- 03/01/2004 - 04/01/2004
- 04/01/2004 - 05/01/2004
- 05/01/2004 - 06/01/2004
- 06/01/2004 - 07/01/2004
- 07/01/2004 - 08/01/2004
- 08/01/2004 - 09/01/2004
- 09/01/2004 - 10/01/2004
- 10/01/2004 - 11/01/2004
- 11/01/2004 - 12/01/2004
- 12/01/2004 - 01/01/2005
- 01/01/2005 - 02/01/2005
- 02/01/2005 - 03/01/2005
- 03/01/2005 - 04/01/2005
- 04/01/2005 - 05/01/2005
- 05/01/2005 - 06/01/2005
- 06/01/2005 - 07/01/2005
- 07/01/2005 - 08/01/2005
- 08/01/2005 - 09/01/2005
- 09/01/2005 - 10/01/2005
- 10/01/2005 - 11/01/2005
- 11/01/2005 - 12/01/2005
- 12/01/2005 - 01/01/2006
- 01/01/2006 - 02/01/2006
- 02/01/2006 - 03/01/2006
- 04/01/2006 - 05/01/2006
- 05/01/2006 - 06/01/2006
- 08/01/2006 - 09/01/2006
- 10/01/2006 - 11/01/2006
- 12/01/2006 - 01/01/2007
- 05/01/2007 - 06/01/2007
- 07/01/2007 - 08/01/2007
- 08/01/2007 - 09/01/2007
- 09/01/2007 - 10/01/2007
- 10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007
- 11/01/2007 - 12/01/2007
- 12/01/2007 - 01/01/2008
- 01/01/2008 - 02/01/2008
- 02/01/2008 - 03/01/2008
- 05/01/2008 - 06/01/2008
- 06/01/2008 - 07/01/2008
- 08/01/2008 - 09/01/2008
- 02/01/2009 - 03/01/2009
- 08/01/2009 - 09/01/2009
"Even if you are at the ends of the earth, the Lord your God will come and rescue you." Deuteronomy 30:4
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Check out this "reverse culture shock" moment, presented to you by me:
In the DR I didn't like all the staff. In fact, there were some I wish I had never met. But what I did have with them, even the ones I didn't like, was community. If they needed something I would help them out, and vice versa.
I've been on a break with my girlfriend for 2 days. I told the 3 people closest to me (besides her) yesterday morning via IMs and messages I left on their phones. I asked for prayer about specific things and that they call me back to talk about it. 36hrs. later and not a single one of them has called me, IMed me, or made any attempt to get in touch with me. These are people I've invested heavily in and who should know that if they needed me even half as much as I need them right now, I'd drop what I was doing and be there for them in a second. They've had time over the past 36hrs. to check their MySpace, go to football games, watch tv, get some drinks, etc...but they haven't had the time to call me for 5min.
In the DR if I mentioned to a staff member that I didn't particularly get along with that I was on a break with my girlfriend, that person would ask how he or she could help and if I wanted to talk. Yet my 3 closest friends don't have the time for me. Something doesn't add up.
I am frustrated with my close friends and frustrated with this damn culture. We get so wrapped up in our own lives and problems that we miss out on serving those around us. God wants us to open our eyes and put forth effort to help others. That doesn't mean putting in hundreds of hours feeding the homeless, or thousands of dollars in aid to Africa; it means being available when your friends need you...it means being aware of what's going on in the lives of those around you.
May God open ALL of our eyes to where and whom He wants us to serve.
In the DR I didn't like all the staff. In fact, there were some I wish I had never met. But what I did have with them, even the ones I didn't like, was community. If they needed something I would help them out, and vice versa.
I've been on a break with my girlfriend for 2 days. I told the 3 people closest to me (besides her) yesterday morning via IMs and messages I left on their phones. I asked for prayer about specific things and that they call me back to talk about it. 36hrs. later and not a single one of them has called me, IMed me, or made any attempt to get in touch with me. These are people I've invested heavily in and who should know that if they needed me even half as much as I need them right now, I'd drop what I was doing and be there for them in a second. They've had time over the past 36hrs. to check their MySpace, go to football games, watch tv, get some drinks, etc...but they haven't had the time to call me for 5min.
In the DR if I mentioned to a staff member that I didn't particularly get along with that I was on a break with my girlfriend, that person would ask how he or she could help and if I wanted to talk. Yet my 3 closest friends don't have the time for me. Something doesn't add up.
I am frustrated with my close friends and frustrated with this damn culture. We get so wrapped up in our own lives and problems that we miss out on serving those around us. God wants us to open our eyes and put forth effort to help others. That doesn't mean putting in hundreds of hours feeding the homeless, or thousands of dollars in aid to Africa; it means being available when your friends need you...it means being aware of what's going on in the lives of those around you.
May God open ALL of our eyes to where and whom He wants us to serve.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
It's time to be honest. No more pretending that everything's alright. I'm depressed. I've been back in the states for 2 months and I'm depressed.
I can objectively say my life is wonderful. All day I play video games, surf the web, read good books, do crossword puzzles, and jog. I wake up when I want to and don't answer to anyone. I have a beautiful, loving girlfriend. At the rate I'm spending money...or, rather, not spending it, I have enough in the bank to last another couple months. Life's a piece of cake, right?
Well...I'm unemployed. One of my big "things" is that I like/need a sense of purpose and understanding of why I'm here on this earth. I've learned, rather quickly, that being unemployed corrupts ones sense of purpose and destiny. In other words, right now I feel I have none. I'm asking myself, "Why am I here on this earth? What are you going to use me for next, God?"
Another factor in the depression is I'm virtually friendless. The only person I hang out with is my girlfriend, and that's become overwhelming. I've prayed to meet guys around my age who have a passion for the Lord and enjoy being around sports, but have yet to meet any.
In a nutshell, the move has been difficult. I've struggled to find a sense of purpose in my life due to my unemployment, and I've struggled to believe I'm a likable, worthy young man because of a lack of support from Godly friends in the area.
Just thought I'd throw all that out there. Now that I'm no longer in such a strict community where to talk about one person angers 5 others, I feel I can write freely. Have a blessed rest of the week.
