DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
John Donne
(1572-1631)
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
Time flies... always
Doesn't matter if you're sitting in bed, watching TV, playing video games, in school, solving world hunger, or saving the world, time goes by fast. Sure, certain tough experiences and even some really good ones seem to go by slowly, however I can't avoid being cliche on this one: life is short. Just a second ago our friends came over for New Years Eve, a minute ago I woke up this morning, an hour ago I was in church, a day ago I was in college mid-semester, a week ago I was graduating, a month ago it was the millenium, a year ago I was born.
I've already spent a quarter of my life, and on what? Was it a good investment? It'd be so easy to pass this off as just another year, to dedicate my oh so many new year's resolutions that are deep down very shallow but for me, seemingly hard to accomplish. Perhaps the best thing I can do is not plan on doing this or not doing that... those resolutions never have worked and probably never will work on their own. There needs to be some realization, some deeper understanding and motivation underneath it all. My question to everyone is, what is that motivation?
I think one can take a lot from the cliches Time flies and Life is short. These phrases capture how rare time really is. If time is so rare (so quick and limited), that makes it all the more valuable. Just that sense of value should be enough to motivate us to spend it more wisely. It's like money. To rich people, money is abundant and they are careless with it. But to a poor man, money is a rarity and every penny is valuable.
We are all poor men when it comes to time. We can't possibly, no matter how much we try, get more of it than what we have. If you eat healthier and are safe, perhaps you will save a few years, but the fact remains that nobody in this day and age will live past 124 (unless you plan on setting a new record). The question is, how will you and I spend our time. Will we put value on it and use it wisely, or be thrifty and careless. I couldn't think of a better question to ask on new years.
I've already spent a quarter of my life, and on what? Was it a good investment? It'd be so easy to pass this off as just another year, to dedicate my oh so many new year's resolutions that are deep down very shallow but for me, seemingly hard to accomplish. Perhaps the best thing I can do is not plan on doing this or not doing that... those resolutions never have worked and probably never will work on their own. There needs to be some realization, some deeper understanding and motivation underneath it all. My question to everyone is, what is that motivation?
I think one can take a lot from the cliches Time flies and Life is short. These phrases capture how rare time really is. If time is so rare (so quick and limited), that makes it all the more valuable. Just that sense of value should be enough to motivate us to spend it more wisely. It's like money. To rich people, money is abundant and they are careless with it. But to a poor man, money is a rarity and every penny is valuable.
We are all poor men when it comes to time. We can't possibly, no matter how much we try, get more of it than what we have. If you eat healthier and are safe, perhaps you will save a few years, but the fact remains that nobody in this day and age will live past 124 (unless you plan on setting a new record). The question is, how will you and I spend our time. Will we put value on it and use it wisely, or be thrifty and careless. I couldn't think of a better question to ask on new years.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The good, the bad, and the... not so bad
Ever play the game "Fortunately, Unfortunately"? I think it also is called "Good news, bad news". Honestly I never have played it, and well, I'm not even quite sure it is a game, although I am sure it is some type of activity, perhaps a story or something if not a game. Anyway, the first part of this "game" is coming up with a situation; usually a very simple one. Let's say the situation is a guy flying a small airplane. The idea then is to come up with a series of unfortunate events (which I in no way intended to be a pun on the book or movie...), all the while stating in-between each the positive side or the "Fortunately". The progression of the story could go something like this.
A man is flying a small plane.
Unfortunately, he's in a warzone.
Fortunately, he is a skilled pilot.
Unfortunately, he is flying over enemy territory.
Fortunately, he is a civilian.
Unfortunately, the enemy doesn't care.
Fortunately, he is near the border.
Unfortunately, there's an enemy plane on his tail.
Fortunately, he has guns.
Unfortunately, they're in his pockets.
Fortunately, he is more maneuverable.
Unfortunately, his right wing is hit.
Fortunately, he has landing gear.
Unfortunately, it's meant for water landings.
Fortunately, he has a parachute.
Unfortunately, the ground is solid from the cold.
Fortunately, there's a haystack nearby.
Unfortunately, there's a pitchfork in the haystack.
Fortunately, he missed the pitchfork.
Unfortunately, he missed the haystack.
And so on, if one wished to continue going. But it related well to my situation right now, as I could go on and on about the bad things that have happened and the not so bad side of them, and vice versa. I could say my first semester of college had some pretty stupid classes that could've been much better and that I spent way too much time doing work in *COUGH* engineering *COUGH*. But at the same time, I did learn something from the class and I got an A in it (to my surprise). I could also say I that it's great that I have a lot of time on my hands now that winter break is here, but then again, my break won't mean anything unless I use that time for something effective. The question I have to ask my self is, do I have good news or bad news where I am right now? If the answer isn't good news, maybe I need to reprint the headlines with something different, i.e. work to get myself to where my life is a book full of good news and good news to come.
A man is flying a small plane.
Unfortunately, he's in a warzone.
Fortunately, he is a skilled pilot.
Unfortunately, he is flying over enemy territory.
Fortunately, he is a civilian.
Unfortunately, the enemy doesn't care.
Fortunately, he is near the border.
Unfortunately, there's an enemy plane on his tail.
Fortunately, he has guns.
Unfortunately, they're in his pockets.
Fortunately, he is more maneuverable.
Unfortunately, his right wing is hit.
Fortunately, he has landing gear.
Unfortunately, it's meant for water landings.
Fortunately, he has a parachute.
Unfortunately, the ground is solid from the cold.
Fortunately, there's a haystack nearby.
Unfortunately, there's a pitchfork in the haystack.
Fortunately, he missed the pitchfork.
Unfortunately, he missed the haystack.
And so on, if one wished to continue going. But it related well to my situation right now, as I could go on and on about the bad things that have happened and the not so bad side of them, and vice versa. I could say my first semester of college had some pretty stupid classes that could've been much better and that I spent way too much time doing work in *COUGH* engineering *COUGH*. But at the same time, I did learn something from the class and I got an A in it (to my surprise). I could also say I that it's great that I have a lot of time on my hands now that winter break is here, but then again, my break won't mean anything unless I use that time for something effective. The question I have to ask my self is, do I have good news or bad news where I am right now? If the answer isn't good news, maybe I need to reprint the headlines with something different, i.e. work to get myself to where my life is a book full of good news and good news to come.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Constant Battle
I realize it's a constant battle to keep myself focused and productive, and I realize I've been failing in this battle for the past few weeks. It's been the most evident this weekend on Fall Break, where, with all the time in the world at home during this Monday, I couldn't bring myself to do much of anything. And it's been that way for quite awhile.
Funny thing is how the battle keeps going even when I don't realize there's a war at all. Actually, I figure the times I'm losing are when I can't even see the enemy, or see a reason to fight. I become numb to the routine of just "getting by" in school (i.e. doing things at the last minute and not devoting enough time to work) and focusing so much on fun (i.e. games and more games of all sorts). It seems like so much fun, but this fun is clouding my vision as it's slowly bringing about my demise. It's destroying my potential as a student and my relationships with God and my family and friends. It may be bringing short term pleasure, but I constantly need more to keep me going and my day becomes based on how much fun I had. Basically, I'm losing the joys of life that God intended to be the focus.
I don't know how to elaborate on this anymore, and I've probably talked about this problem numerous times in past blogs. But, as I emphasize, it's a constant battle, one that I will never win until it's over and hopefully will never have to admit defeat.
Funny thing is how the battle keeps going even when I don't realize there's a war at all. Actually, I figure the times I'm losing are when I can't even see the enemy, or see a reason to fight. I become numb to the routine of just "getting by" in school (i.e. doing things at the last minute and not devoting enough time to work) and focusing so much on fun (i.e. games and more games of all sorts). It seems like so much fun, but this fun is clouding my vision as it's slowly bringing about my demise. It's destroying my potential as a student and my relationships with God and my family and friends. It may be bringing short term pleasure, but I constantly need more to keep me going and my day becomes based on how much fun I had. Basically, I'm losing the joys of life that God intended to be the focus.
I don't know how to elaborate on this anymore, and I've probably talked about this problem numerous times in past blogs. But, as I emphasize, it's a constant battle, one that I will never win until it's over and hopefully will never have to admit defeat.
What Now?
I'm not sure whether to consider this a good thing or not. The few days before I got home for Fall Break, I was extremely excited and ready to spend some time at home and everything. I couldn't wait to take a break from college life and I was looking forward to all the things I would do. Well, here it is, 4:30 Monday morning, the last day of my break, and I've got nothing to do. In fact, I didn't have much to do this whole weekend, if you don't count singing in church on Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I really loved coming back to see my parents and church family. But it was a much dryer return than I had originally pictured it would be.
I know partly this is due to the fact that all my friends are away at college right now so there's nobody to go see. But regardless, I'm not really sure what to think about all this. On the one hand, perhaps it's a bad thing that home is not as exciting as I'd hoped it to be. However, maybe it's a great thing that I'm anticipating my return to college. Maybe it's good that I enjoy college as much as I do, as I'll be spending a lot of my time there. I guess I'm content with my Fall Break, if not for the people I got to see and the sleep I caught up on, then for the realization it gave me about my enjoyment of college thus far.
I know partly this is due to the fact that all my friends are away at college right now so there's nobody to go see. But regardless, I'm not really sure what to think about all this. On the one hand, perhaps it's a bad thing that home is not as exciting as I'd hoped it to be. However, maybe it's a great thing that I'm anticipating my return to college. Maybe it's good that I enjoy college as much as I do, as I'll be spending a lot of my time there. I guess I'm content with my Fall Break, if not for the people I got to see and the sleep I caught up on, then for the realization it gave me about my enjoyment of college thus far.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
What do we put first?
If you know anything about the world of video games, you'll know that Halo 3 was released Monday night 12:01am at stores nationwide for the mad rush of people to go and buy and stay up all hours of the night playing. I am happy to say I wasn't one of those people, though I did join in later in the day Tuesday for some 4 player co-op and LAN multiplayer action. The game had record breaking first day sales with I believe over 2 million pre-ordered copies already before the night of release. The numbers are staggering to think about.
After seeing the passion with which these people talked about the game before it came out, went to all lengths to get the game (standing in line for hours at Gamestop/Best Buy/Wal-Mart), and stayed up all night to play it, it makes me wonder what they really put first.
I find it hard to put God first sometimes. I'll say I love Him, I'll say He's more important to me than anything, I'll talk the talk, and everything... but I still question if I'm really putting Him first. I mean, I don't even spend 10 minutes everyday with Him outside of prayer. I haven't kept a consistent Bible Study. It seems many times I go to Him or refer to Him only when I have some need or problem, like God is only there to work for me and give me stuff. I get concerned about myself and I work to try and fix my attitude and question my heart.
And then I look at these people, whose lives at some times seem to revolve around fun and games and pleasure of that nature. They may kid about being obsessed, but I don't because I take it seriously sometimes. I think it goes without saying that where we put our time is where our hearts are. Sometimes when I've spent way too much time doing something very selfish or wasteful, I say to myself "well, I know I would give it up if I had to for something more important. I'd give up all video games in a heartbeat for God." Thing is, since I don't have to, I don't ever, and these desires of mine always take precedence.
Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but I can guarantee that if I asked my group friends two nights ago to, after purchasing the game, come back and do a 10 minute devotion or prayer beforehand to show that God is more important than a game, they would look at me like I was crazy. It's a sad reality, but it's true nonetheless. And it's not something we can go around condemning of other people either, it's a realization that comes from within each person. I've realized it, and I'm committed to putting God first above all my other desires, a commitment I know I'll have to repeat over and over each day for the rest of my life as I work to put God in control of my life.
After seeing the passion with which these people talked about the game before it came out, went to all lengths to get the game (standing in line for hours at Gamestop/Best Buy/Wal-Mart), and stayed up all night to play it, it makes me wonder what they really put first.
I find it hard to put God first sometimes. I'll say I love Him, I'll say He's more important to me than anything, I'll talk the talk, and everything... but I still question if I'm really putting Him first. I mean, I don't even spend 10 minutes everyday with Him outside of prayer. I haven't kept a consistent Bible Study. It seems many times I go to Him or refer to Him only when I have some need or problem, like God is only there to work for me and give me stuff. I get concerned about myself and I work to try and fix my attitude and question my heart.
And then I look at these people, whose lives at some times seem to revolve around fun and games and pleasure of that nature. They may kid about being obsessed, but I don't because I take it seriously sometimes. I think it goes without saying that where we put our time is where our hearts are. Sometimes when I've spent way too much time doing something very selfish or wasteful, I say to myself "well, I know I would give it up if I had to for something more important. I'd give up all video games in a heartbeat for God." Thing is, since I don't have to, I don't ever, and these desires of mine always take precedence.
Maybe this doesn't apply to you, but I can guarantee that if I asked my group friends two nights ago to, after purchasing the game, come back and do a 10 minute devotion or prayer beforehand to show that God is more important than a game, they would look at me like I was crazy. It's a sad reality, but it's true nonetheless. And it's not something we can go around condemning of other people either, it's a realization that comes from within each person. I've realized it, and I'm committed to putting God first above all my other desires, a commitment I know I'll have to repeat over and over each day for the rest of my life as I work to put God in control of my life.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Changes
Despite the fact I've been in college for about 3 1/2 to 4 weeks, I have yet to really blog about the changes and the transition that has taken place in my life. So I shall...
I'd like to say I didn't expect any of what has happened, but I'd be lying a whole lot to myself and to everyone else if I said that. I expected the Christian atmosphere, the great friendships to come, the tough classes (Calculus II) and the real easy ones (Learning+Transition), and the more relaxed yet more efficient schedule and framework of classes. Those things I expected and eagerly awaited before I came here.
But, as with everything, there were plenty of surprises; the largest one being how well I've managed at being on my own and taking care of my own responsibilities in and out of the dorm. I was probably more nervous about this aspect than anything else about college as it approached. And now, not a month later, it's like second nature. Marching band has also been a lot different and a lot more challenging than I expected, but I am really glad (so far) that I have joined, though our band has yet to march for an audience.
The spread of diversity on campus is something that also truly caught my attention. And I'm not talking about race, though there certainly are many different ethnicities. Spiritually, people are at all different walks with God. I see many strong Christians, but I also see many who look almost as distant from God as people from my high-school. I guess I should have expected that not everyone here would have a true relationship with Christ, but perhaps I wished that was the case. It opens up the mission field not just to the community surrounding the campus, but to the campus itself. It is encouraging to know there are people struggling as I am, there are strong people that can help build us up, and there are also weaker people who I myself have the ability to encourage and aid.
Honestly, I'm very grateful I am where I am. At points there are bad influences and things I know I shouldn't be around, but I know it is nothing compared to what I would be faced with at your typical college. Certain things I've heard and discussed and been informed about have really opened up my eyes to what college could be like for me right now, and the vision is not a good one. Some would say not being around that stuff makes me ignorant, but honestly I'd rather be ignorant than getting into or being around something damaging. I'm beginning to realize more and more why God called me to Geneva, and it gets more clear everyday.
All in all, God has really blessed my time here thus far. I can't say that I've grown more in these few weeks than in my entire grade school education, but I can say I have definitely changed and learned a lot. I couldn't have asked for more from Geneva, or any other college for that matter. I think I'm going to like it here these next few years.
Oh yeah, and the food is quite good too. Imagine that. Well... most days that is.
I'd like to say I didn't expect any of what has happened, but I'd be lying a whole lot to myself and to everyone else if I said that. I expected the Christian atmosphere, the great friendships to come, the tough classes (Calculus II) and the real easy ones (Learning+Transition), and the more relaxed yet more efficient schedule and framework of classes. Those things I expected and eagerly awaited before I came here.
But, as with everything, there were plenty of surprises; the largest one being how well I've managed at being on my own and taking care of my own responsibilities in and out of the dorm. I was probably more nervous about this aspect than anything else about college as it approached. And now, not a month later, it's like second nature. Marching band has also been a lot different and a lot more challenging than I expected, but I am really glad (so far) that I have joined, though our band has yet to march for an audience.
The spread of diversity on campus is something that also truly caught my attention. And I'm not talking about race, though there certainly are many different ethnicities. Spiritually, people are at all different walks with God. I see many strong Christians, but I also see many who look almost as distant from God as people from my high-school. I guess I should have expected that not everyone here would have a true relationship with Christ, but perhaps I wished that was the case. It opens up the mission field not just to the community surrounding the campus, but to the campus itself. It is encouraging to know there are people struggling as I am, there are strong people that can help build us up, and there are also weaker people who I myself have the ability to encourage and aid.
Honestly, I'm very grateful I am where I am. At points there are bad influences and things I know I shouldn't be around, but I know it is nothing compared to what I would be faced with at your typical college. Certain things I've heard and discussed and been informed about have really opened up my eyes to what college could be like for me right now, and the vision is not a good one. Some would say not being around that stuff makes me ignorant, but honestly I'd rather be ignorant than getting into or being around something damaging. I'm beginning to realize more and more why God called me to Geneva, and it gets more clear everyday.
All in all, God has really blessed my time here thus far. I can't say that I've grown more in these few weeks than in my entire grade school education, but I can say I have definitely changed and learned a lot. I couldn't have asked for more from Geneva, or any other college for that matter. I think I'm going to like it here these next few years.
Oh yeah, and the food is quite good too. Imagine that. Well... most days that is.
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