An Update...

4.23.2009

Don't have anything special on my mind really. I just figured that it was about time for an update on my random thoughts and musings. I've been working on math for Verity, and while I am definitely not enjoying it, it is at least not torture. I have only to pass this class and then I have high hopes that I will not need to do another math class for the duration of my higher education. One can always hope.

I went to see David Barton speak the other night. It was the first time I have seen him in person, this was only his second trip to Indiana in 6 years. It was a very encouraging, energizing speech.

What else is up with life? Let's see...Yeah I'm over that, I'm looking forward to hanging with my friends this summer, I had a fun time at the nursing home last night (I had the same conversation - with a very nice old lady who also happened to be both diabetic and Irish - four times in a row), and I'm almost done with school for the semester. I am hoping to work full time this summer, or do some further CLEP tests. And that's about it...I will be going to the Nashville ATI Conference at the end of May and will surely post from that, but I am sure I will post between now and then.

Just messing around...

4.05.2009

Was just messing around with the GIMP...been awhile since I came up with anything new. I like the "Cracked" font that my friend has...unfortunately it is Mac-only, so I can't use it at home. Until I get my own Mac...soon, oh so soon.

Just some random thoughts...comments...whatever.

4.02.2009

I know that God has a purpose for me. He has a very specific purpose for me. I don't know what that is, but I know that it exists and that He will guide me. God has a way of letting me go about my life, walking along the path before me, and following the curves. But whenever there is a fork in the road, I usually seem to start down the wrong path, toward the wrong open door. When I get to the door, THEN God slams it shut in my face. He did that when I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes - I had planned to go into the military, to be in the Navy and go to the Naval Academy like my dad.  He shut another door very recently when the woman that I thought I was going to marry ended our relationship forever. It hurts when He does that. But in the pain I can see that He is guiding me, and I have peace in the knowledge that He has a plan for me, that is for my good and His glory.

Something else recent is my name change...it's not really a change, just a different nickname. "Alex" gets kinda old after all these years. I have a friend who went to Scotland last year; when she got back she started calling me "Sandy." So there you have the origin of the name. Why, you may ask, do I want to change my name? I have no clue. But I do, and I would love it if everyone would start calling me "Sandy" instead of "Alex." Anyway...

I've had a lot going on in my life recently. I'm not sure where I am headed, but I know that God has a plan for me. I find it amazing how God can use the same verse in so many ways. My life verse has kept me going for the past few weeks, as God has brought to my attention different applications for it:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." -- Jeremiah 29:11

Notes and Thoughts - GMAA Session 4

3.14.2009

Alex and Brett Harris

• What is the difference between the challenges of my childhood and the challenges I am facing now?

• The challenges are equal. (They have equal difficulty.)

• The real question is "How do I respond differently?" [or How am I responding differently]
  

• The older we get the easier it is for us to excuse ourselves for things - i.e., "I'm just not a math person." This immediately stems from the low expectations that exist for teens in this culture - if it was expected then the difficulty would be overcome.

• God is not glorified when I do not overcome the difficulties He puts in my life.
• In order to grow I must continue to overcome difficulties. (Muscles grow stronger when you work them out.)

What is the "do hard things mentality"?

• Fighting sin in my life.
• The right thing is harder than the wrong thing.
• Battling discouragement and complacency.
• God has designed my spiritual strength to grow by exertion.
• Doing more than what is required.
• Getting over my fear of failure.
• It looks different for each person.
• It is different for men and women.
• Most often means doing the small things.
• The things that most people will not see.
• Is my best life.
• Not my easiest - the best is not the easiest nearly every time.

Notes and Thoughts - GMAA Elective 1

[Need to add the speaker name]
 
Culture's View

• The culture teaches that gender is learned, not innate.
• The culture also teaches that sex is for pleasure and has nothing to do with God.
• The culture teaches marriage, it is not an institute ordained by God.
• What is the solution to this view infiltrating the church? Glorify God through His design.
  

Biblical View

• Gender is something I am before anything else.
• Sex is first of all for God's glory - it was not just created by God, it was commanded by Him!
• Marriage is not a cultural phenomenon, it is a universal truth given and blessed by God. (A man is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church - I need to take this seriously)
• Marriage is a little example of the Gospel for the world to see enacted in the relationship between a Christian man and his wife.

Notes and Thoughts - GMAA Session 3

Alex and Brett Harris

"The Myth of Adolescence"

• Elephant example of "shackles around the mind"
• The word "teenager" has been around only since 1941 - less than 70 years!
• Adolescence as it is viewed today has been around for about 100 years. Basically labor laws took teens out of the workforce and mandatory schooling was instituted. A whole portion of the population was taken from the role of producer to consumer. Expectations were lowered - both virtually non-existent.

"The ceiling is where the floor should be."

Notes and Thoughts - GMAA Session 2

3.13.2009

Dr. R. Albert Mohler
Questions define a faithful Christian, and ignoring these questions show a "flickering" faith.
Romans 11:33 - 12:2

• When I see the word "therefore" I need to look at the previous verses to see what the context is.
• I need to reboot spiritually every once in awhile, 'cuz just like my computer I eventually overload and my mind just starts spinning.
• Knowing the will of God is part of my responsibility as a Christian, and finding the Lord's will is a never-ending process.
• The will of God is not:
• A game He is playing with me.
• Like buried treasure that I am supposed to find.
• A puzzle that I am supposed to put together when I get the pieces.
• A mystery that I must accept.
• Something that I am not supposed to like.
• It is God's will:
• That I should be born. There is a purpose for my life.
• That it is God's will for me to eventually die - unless Christ returns first.
• That I was born male.
• That I will go through different life stages.
• That I obey God's Word.
• That I obey all authorities - civil, parental, church.
• That I believe in Christ.
• That I do everything for God's glory.
• That I get married or am given the gift of celibacy to do the work of God.
• That I share the Gospel.
• That I be faithful to my church - serving faithfully.
• That I strengthen the church, make a difference in the world, and in every role and relationship show the glory of God.
• I already know most of God's will.
• I won't find just by thinking, but by doing.
• If it's God's will then to change even a small part of it would be to mar the perfection of His perfect plan.