I love and hate the summer.

Okay, I bet you're looking at the title and saying, "Hold up, you're a teacher and you love and HATE the summer!?"

Yes, I love and hate the summer. Let me quickly explain.

I love the summer for the obvious reasons - I get time off from work and I get to do whatever I want during this time. This sounds wonderful and by all accounts and prior experiences, it is.

This is where I want you to hear me out...I don't always like the summer. Why?

I am bored out of my mind. I'm trying to be good with money so traveling is out of the question for now. I'm not busy so I'm becoming lazy. All I think I want is some advice on how to spend my time. More time with God is #1...and I haven't been that great with it so far. #2 is less sleeping and napping to organize instead of being so lazy. Right now, I'm thinking what good is doing what I want if I'm not spending this time wisely. I think all I need at this point is a nice, swift kick in the pants to get my butt into gear and plan this summer free time better. I hate the summer right now because I am lame so here's to hoping and planning something...anything more useful for the rest of this summer.

-CP

Oldie but goodie - gives me lots to think about

Old Xanga blog from Jan. 23, 2007....

Every time I seem to be in a spirtual haze/funk, God will come and give me a smack of blessing in the face (maybe not that harsh but you know what I mean) through his Word (be it on the pulpit, QT, or some chance time). Sadly (only b/c I've been a negligent Christian many times in my life) and wonderfully (once again b/c I've been a negligent Christian but because He gives infinite chances to heathens like myself), it's like I've been injected with new life.

Okay, anyways, this past Sunday was the sermon at VWC. The sermon was on service to the church. Every job in the church is important (big or small). Why I need reminding of this so many times? It's probably cause I'm a selfish schmoe.

Hearing that if we desire to be great, we must serve yet (Mark 10:43) we are so ingrained to serve ourselves. Plus, many times we say we are busy (then right after that, this acronym gets pulled out and used during the sermon, busy - Being Under Satan's Yoke...that made my seat get hot thinking the amount of times I've said that).

Being available, humble, and faithful - that is what you all are who are serving the church. Much respect to you all. You are not "faith potatoes" (think couch potatoes but instead of TV, coming to church to get fed so you get fat on faith) where you go to church to get fed not to serve and help others.

I'm not the greatest at retelling stories or sermons but this past week riled me up again because it was good. Seriously, I think we can find something to do at our churches even if it's something simple. Anyways, consider what you are doing and find time to help.

Reflecting on 6/21/2011: Man, messages like this really hit home now. I really need to find a way not to be a faith potato. I need to find a better use of my time....

Oh it's been too long. Why do I blog?

Why? It's a question I ask myself plenty.

Where do I start? I just get these urges to blog or write in different moments and then sometimes, I just don't want to write period.

I think it's an outlet to my emotions. It could just be a way to recollect good times with friends. Memories are mostly a wonderful outlet for me. I love thinking about the when I had an activity I loved. I look back on those times and laugh or just feel good. The mind just stores all these times in the back of my head and releases them after reading. Maybe I just have a peace of mind with these blogs like a great prayer with God.

I think with these blogs and at other times I know better what I want and how I want to feel. I'm a person who sees a glass half-empty most times so I'm trying to change my outlook.

What I will and won't do on a blog.

1) No names of people I know (maybe an initial).
2) Just my thoughts so it's all on me.
3) Reflecting on what I write not out of anger or a rash emotion.

-CP