This week, we have been studying the history of the church starting in 70 AD, and going through to present day. When we get to the more recent church, my thoughts about "church" and its members were challenged. The views on current day church was broken down by generations to explain the differences in expectations and acceptances. I had no idea how much I differed from the people who are only 7 years younger than me!
I also learned about my responsibility to the church. Not only is someone to be a member at a church, but there are many more responsibilities. Some of these are: spreading the word of the gospel, being faithful to a local church, attending local church meetings, participation in church works, submit to local church leaders, and participate in local church discipline. This means that "church hoping" and being a "Sunday Only" attender are out of the question. We are to be faithful, even through the small stuff, in order to be a better follower of Christ.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
There Is Only One Fruitcake In The Entire World... And People Keep Sending It To One Another
(Turning 30 in a world full of 22 year olds... a bit of advice to them)
Let me tell you something you already know... the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Its a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently... if you let it. Nobody is going to hit as hard as life, but it isn't about how hard you are hit... its about how hard you can GET hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward.That's how winning is done.
Pain is temporary. It may last for a minute, for an hour, for a day, or even a year... but eventually, it will subside... and something else will take its place. If I quit, however,... it will last forever.
The margin for error is so small... I mean... one half a step too late or too early - you don't make it, one half a second too slow or too fast - you don't quite catch it, the inches we need are EVERYWHERE around us... they're in every break of the game, every minute, every second.
You have a dream... you have to protect it.
If you want something... go get it. Period.
Don't be afraid to fail. You can't always win, but don't be afraid to make decisions.
You have to believe that something different can happen. He who says he can, and he who says he can't, are both usually right.
Most of you say you want to be successful... but you don't want it bad enough, you just kind of want it. You don't want it more than you want to party. You don't want it as much as you want to be cool. Most of you don't want success as much as you want to sleep.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is your light, not your darkness, that most frightens you.
You have to dig deep down and ask yourself... "who do I want to be?" Figuring out for yourselves - what makes you happy... No matter how crazy it may sound to other people.
Make a choice. Just decide... what its going to be, who you're going to be, how you're going to do it. Just Decide.
Get up. Don't ever give up.
You can stay here, get the crap kicked out of you.... or .... you can fight your way back into the light... you can climb out of hell... one inch at a time.
To be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what you are... for what you will become.
Most of you won't be successful... because when you are studying... and you get tired... you quit. "I don't do well in math." YOU'RE RIGHT!!! YOU HAVE NEVER STUDIED! "I'm not good at writing."... because you have never written before! Talent comes naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.
If you are not making someone else's life better... then you're wasting your time.
Don't cry to give up, cry to keep going. Don't cry to quit! You're already in pain... you're already hurt... GET A REWARD FOR IT!
So if you know what you're worth... go and get what you're worth... but you have to take the hits. And don't point the finger and say that you aren't where you want to be because of him... because of her... or anybody. Cowards do that, and that isn't you! YOU'RE BETTER THAN THAT!
Every day is a new day. Every moment is a new moment. So, now you have to go out there and show them that you're a different creature.
Show them how great you are!
It is written, "The kingdom of God is within man." Not one man, nor a group of men... but in ALL MEN! Its in you! The people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful... to make this life a wonderful adventure.
Now... what are you going to do?!?!?!
Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.
Let me tell you something you already know... the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Its a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently... if you let it. Nobody is going to hit as hard as life, but it isn't about how hard you are hit... its about how hard you can GET hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward.That's how winning is done.
Pain is temporary. It may last for a minute, for an hour, for a day, or even a year... but eventually, it will subside... and something else will take its place. If I quit, however,... it will last forever.
The margin for error is so small... I mean... one half a step too late or too early - you don't make it, one half a second too slow or too fast - you don't quite catch it, the inches we need are EVERYWHERE around us... they're in every break of the game, every minute, every second.
You have a dream... you have to protect it.
If you want something... go get it. Period.
Don't be afraid to fail. You can't always win, but don't be afraid to make decisions.
You have to believe that something different can happen. He who says he can, and he who says he can't, are both usually right.
Most of you say you want to be successful... but you don't want it bad enough, you just kind of want it. You don't want it more than you want to party. You don't want it as much as you want to be cool. Most of you don't want success as much as you want to sleep.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is your light, not your darkness, that most frightens you.
You have to dig deep down and ask yourself... "who do I want to be?" Figuring out for yourselves - what makes you happy... No matter how crazy it may sound to other people.
Make a choice. Just decide... what its going to be, who you're going to be, how you're going to do it. Just Decide.
Get up. Don't ever give up.
You can stay here, get the crap kicked out of you.... or .... you can fight your way back into the light... you can climb out of hell... one inch at a time.
To be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what you are... for what you will become.
Most of you won't be successful... because when you are studying... and you get tired... you quit. "I don't do well in math." YOU'RE RIGHT!!! YOU HAVE NEVER STUDIED! "I'm not good at writing."... because you have never written before! Talent comes naturally. Skill is only developed by hours and hours and hours of beating on your craft.
If you are not making someone else's life better... then you're wasting your time.
Don't cry to give up, cry to keep going. Don't cry to quit! You're already in pain... you're already hurt... GET A REWARD FOR IT!
So if you know what you're worth... go and get what you're worth... but you have to take the hits. And don't point the finger and say that you aren't where you want to be because of him... because of her... or anybody. Cowards do that, and that isn't you! YOU'RE BETTER THAN THAT!
Every day is a new day. Every moment is a new moment. So, now you have to go out there and show them that you're a different creature.
Show them how great you are!
It is written, "The kingdom of God is within man." Not one man, nor a group of men... but in ALL MEN! Its in you! The people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful... to make this life a wonderful adventure.
Now... what are you going to do?!?!?!
Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.
(Citation: Nike, Luke 17 (The Bible), Marianne Williamson)
Monday, October 7, 2013
Inductive Bible Study (11 months later)
This past week at The Kanakuk Institute (KI), we took an in depth look at Inductive Bible Studies (IBS). I have never participated in an IBS prior, and there was quite a bit of learning I had to endure. I learned how to do an IBS and its importance.
The key to studying the bible can be broken down into 3 steps: Observation, Interpretation, and Application. When starting with observation, look for repetition. Also, ask who, what, where, when, why, and how. Follow those questions by asking, "What does this passage mean by what it says?" This is the interpretation part. After completing those two steps, you must apply it. This can be broken down into two categories: Believe (doctrine) and Behave (actions). In other words, what do I do with it?
The reason all of this is important when reading your bible is that it causes you to slow down. It would be fairly difficult to do all three steps while reading the passage only once, and therefore, makes you re-read. Slowing down also causes you to look for the obvious: repeating words and significant words.
Even though this new process seems tedious and time consuming - I am looking forward to beginning to study my bible this way. I have hopes for great outcomes from the actually "studying" of the word, and not just reading it.
(11 months later = the last time I posted.)
The key to studying the bible can be broken down into 3 steps: Observation, Interpretation, and Application. When starting with observation, look for repetition. Also, ask who, what, where, when, why, and how. Follow those questions by asking, "What does this passage mean by what it says?" This is the interpretation part. After completing those two steps, you must apply it. This can be broken down into two categories: Believe (doctrine) and Behave (actions). In other words, what do I do with it?
The reason all of this is important when reading your bible is that it causes you to slow down. It would be fairly difficult to do all three steps while reading the passage only once, and therefore, makes you re-read. Slowing down also causes you to look for the obvious: repeating words and significant words.
Even though this new process seems tedious and time consuming - I am looking forward to beginning to study my bible this way. I have hopes for great outcomes from the actually "studying" of the word, and not just reading it.
(11 months later = the last time I posted.)
Friday, November 16, 2012
One Year
Just now, randomly, on the computer... shopping, and I decide to pull up my blog.
One year since my last post. Hmmm. Wow. Either life is too lame to post, or its too busy... I'm not sure which really...
Currently, still working in surgery. I did, however, take over the orthopedic department, which adds immense stress to simply "working". And, last week, I accepted a job in administration at another hospital. Huh - never saw my life heading there... never saw me wanting that.
But this will be good. All of my jobs have been "ballsy" moves... this is just another one.
Anyway, so I start this new adventure on the 10th of December, with two weeks of orientation. Then, do or die.
I'm a little bit nervous, a little bit scared, a far amount of excited, and fairly content.
Scared and nervous:
Where's the bathroom?
Who is that?
Is he a doctor?
What's your name?
You want me to go where?
How do I get there?
Etc.
Etc.
Etc....
Overall, life is semi-charmed (Insert 90s music). Living the dream with 2 cats, a great best friend, and a wonderful family. Basketball is about to start. The holidays are near (Ugh!).
This is just rambling, nothing is being SAID. Til next time.... or year....
One year since my last post. Hmmm. Wow. Either life is too lame to post, or its too busy... I'm not sure which really...
Currently, still working in surgery. I did, however, take over the orthopedic department, which adds immense stress to simply "working". And, last week, I accepted a job in administration at another hospital. Huh - never saw my life heading there... never saw me wanting that.
But this will be good. All of my jobs have been "ballsy" moves... this is just another one.
Anyway, so I start this new adventure on the 10th of December, with two weeks of orientation. Then, do or die.
I'm a little bit nervous, a little bit scared, a far amount of excited, and fairly content.
Scared and nervous:
Where's the bathroom?
Who is that?
Is he a doctor?
What's your name?
You want me to go where?
How do I get there?
Etc.
Etc.
Etc....
Overall, life is semi-charmed (Insert 90s music). Living the dream with 2 cats, a great best friend, and a wonderful family. Basketball is about to start. The holidays are near (Ugh!).
This is just rambling, nothing is being SAID. Til next time.... or year....
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Adult Truths
1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
7. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
8. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
9. Bad decisions make good stories.
10. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
11. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
12. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
13. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
14. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
15. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
16. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
17. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said? .
18. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
19. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever..
20. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
21. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
22. People who forward e-mail without deleting the tons of previous recipients should be shot and then tarred and feathered.
23. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important. (Ladies, quit laughing!)
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
7. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
8. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
9. Bad decisions make good stories.
10. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
11. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
12. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
13. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
14. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
15. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
16. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
17. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said? .
18. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
19. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever..
20. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
21. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
22. People who forward e-mail without deleting the tons of previous recipients should be shot and then tarred and feathered.
23. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important. (Ladies, quit laughing!)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Day In The Life..... of the operating room
In 6500 B.C., some guy looked at his sick friend and said, “I have an idea. Why don’t I drill a hole in your skull? It’ll make you feel better.”
Thus, surgery was born.
It takes a certain brand of crazy to come up with an idea like drilling into somebody’s skull, but surgery staff (I'm sure) have always been a confident bunch. We usually know what we’re doing. And when we don’t, we still act like we do.
We walk boldly into undiscovered country, plant a flag, and start ordering people around. It’s invigorating, and terrifying.
We like to think we’re fearless, eager to explore unknown lands and soak up new experiences. But the fact is, we’re always terrified.
Maybe the terror is part of the attraction.
Some people go to horror movies, we cut things open, dive into dark water. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what you’d rather hear about?
If you’ve got one drink, and one friend, and forty-five minutes… smooth rides make for boring stories. A little calamity, that’s worth talking about.
Thus, surgery was born.
It takes a certain brand of crazy to come up with an idea like drilling into somebody’s skull, but surgery staff (I'm sure) have always been a confident bunch. We usually know what we’re doing. And when we don’t, we still act like we do.
We walk boldly into undiscovered country, plant a flag, and start ordering people around. It’s invigorating, and terrifying.
We like to think we’re fearless, eager to explore unknown lands and soak up new experiences. But the fact is, we’re always terrified.
Maybe the terror is part of the attraction.
Some people go to horror movies, we cut things open, dive into dark water. And at the end of the day, isn’t that what you’d rather hear about?
If you’ve got one drink, and one friend, and forty-five minutes… smooth rides make for boring stories. A little calamity, that’s worth talking about.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Background
It's evident You run the show,
So let me back down.
You take the leading role,
And I'll play the background.
I know I miss my cues,
Know I forget my lines.
I'm sticking to Your script,
And I'm reading all Your signs.
I don't need my name in lights.
I don't need a starring role.
Why gain the whole wide world,
If I'm just going to loose my soul.
My ways aren't purified,
I'll live according to Your Word.
I can't endure this life,
Without Your wisdom being heard.
Listen up all you dancers
For the pop stars,
Because we all play the background,
But mine's a Rock Star.
So if you need me,
I'll be stage right.
Praying the whole world,
Will start embracing stage fright.
So let me fall back,
And stop giving my suggestions.
Because when I follow my obsessions
I end up confessing,
That I'm not that impressive,
Matter of fact I'm who I are,
A trail of star dust
Leading to the Superstar.
I had a dream that
I was captain of my soul,
I was master of my fate,
Lost control, and then I sank.
So I don't want to take the lead,
Because I'm prone to make mistakes.
All these folks that follow me,
Going end up in the wrong place.
So, just let me shadow You,
And just let me trace Your lines.
Matter of fact just take my pen,
Here, You create my rhymes.
Because if I do this by myself,
I'm scared that I'll succeed.
And no longer trust in You,
Because I only trust in me.
And see, that's how you end up
Headed to destruction,
Paving a road to nowhere,
Pour your life out for nothing.
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing,
You know what's in my hand.
Me, I just roll to trust You,
You cause the dice to land.
I'm in control of nothing,
Follow You at any cost.
Some call it sovereign will,
All I know is You are the boss.
I'm so at ease. I'm so content.
I play the background like it's an instrument.
I know I'm safest when,
I'm in Your will and trust Your word.
And I know I'm dangerous when,
I trust myself, my vision blurred.
And I don't have time,
To play life's foolish games.
I have plenty of aims,
But do they really glorify Your name?
And it's a shame the way
I want to do these things for You, yet,
Don't even cling to You.
Take time to sit and glean from You.
It seems that You were patient
In my ignorance.
If ignorance is bliss,
Its because they've never heard of this.
I could play the background.
Because I know sometimes I get in the way.
So won't You take the lead.
And I can play the background.
And You can take the lead.
So let me back down.
You take the leading role,
And I'll play the background.
I know I miss my cues,
Know I forget my lines.
I'm sticking to Your script,
And I'm reading all Your signs.
I don't need my name in lights.
I don't need a starring role.
Why gain the whole wide world,
If I'm just going to loose my soul.
My ways aren't purified,
I'll live according to Your Word.
I can't endure this life,
Without Your wisdom being heard.
Listen up all you dancers
For the pop stars,
Because we all play the background,
But mine's a Rock Star.
So if you need me,
I'll be stage right.
Praying the whole world,
Will start embracing stage fright.
So let me fall back,
And stop giving my suggestions.
Because when I follow my obsessions
I end up confessing,
That I'm not that impressive,
Matter of fact I'm who I are,
A trail of star dust
Leading to the Superstar.
I had a dream that
I was captain of my soul,
I was master of my fate,
Lost control, and then I sank.
So I don't want to take the lead,
Because I'm prone to make mistakes.
All these folks that follow me,
Going end up in the wrong place.
So, just let me shadow You,
And just let me trace Your lines.
Matter of fact just take my pen,
Here, You create my rhymes.
Because if I do this by myself,
I'm scared that I'll succeed.
And no longer trust in You,
Because I only trust in me.
And see, that's how you end up
Headed to destruction,
Paving a road to nowhere,
Pour your life out for nothing.
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing,
You know what's in my hand.
Me, I just roll to trust You,
You cause the dice to land.
I'm in control of nothing,
Follow You at any cost.
Some call it sovereign will,
All I know is You are the boss.
I'm so at ease. I'm so content.
I play the background like it's an instrument.
I know I'm safest when,
I'm in Your will and trust Your word.
And I know I'm dangerous when,
I trust myself, my vision blurred.
And I don't have time,
To play life's foolish games.
I have plenty of aims,
But do they really glorify Your name?
And it's a shame the way
I want to do these things for You, yet,
Don't even cling to You.
Take time to sit and glean from You.
It seems that You were patient
In my ignorance.
If ignorance is bliss,
Its because they've never heard of this.
I could play the background.
Because I know sometimes I get in the way.
So won't You take the lead.
And I can play the background.
And You can take the lead.
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