Back to the Routine

And thus Christmas break ended. It always seems to go by too quickly, but it was an excellent break from classes. It's great to be back to a regular routine though. This first week back to classes has been getting syllabi, and adjusting to the new schedule, as well as reuniting with friends and asking about each others breaks. So far it's been a good start to the semester.

Normally I don't do New Year Resolutions. I'm not really sure why I haven't in the past, but I think part of it was a mindset that I'd at some point just go back to what I was doing before. This year I've made it a goal to get in the word every day, and I've found a great bible reading plan with devotional commentary to help me do so. (It's in the Bible app if you want to check it out. It's one of the read a bible in  a year plans.) Also I'm trying something different as far as resolutions go. I'm praying that God will give me a word for this year. Something to inspire me, or something to look for daily for the whole year. (Also inspired by a plan in the Bible app). I haven't quite settled on a word yet, but I like the concept.

I'll admit the discipline of reading the Bible daily hasn't been one I've been consistent at. However, Psalm 1:1-6 provides words of encouragement. It compares a person that meditates on God's word daily to that of a tree planted by a stream. The fruit will grow abundantly! In this psalm it doesn't try to claim that the wicked doesn't prosper, but it does say "The wicked are like chaff that blows away." This is saying the result of the wicked is death, but the Lord watches over the righteous. This passage reminds me that reading the Bible allows me to grow and bear fruit. Reading the Bible (and applying it) may not always be easy, but it's something that is beneficial in our walk with God.

X-Mas has Been Cancelled

Well it's Christmas break and I officially survived finals week! (To every other college student out there that survived too, congratulations. Now go sleep. =D ) So far break has treated me well, it's been great being with family and friends back home, playing games and catching up. We've been playing a new game of mine, Ticket to Ride the Card game a lot so far, but we also played one called spot it. It's still early in the break so many more games will be played I'm sure. As we get closer to Christmas, I was inspired to write a poem.

X-Mas Has Been Cancelled

by Me

Dear Santa Mommy and Daddy decided

That I’ve been too bad this year

So I don’t get a visit from you

Not even coal should be left here

I’m sure I’m on the naughty list

And that’s all my fault

Daddy said I’ve not been respectful

That’s something I’ve been taught

So forget about the things that I asked for

Mommy’s putting bars on the chimney

No cookies and milk will be on the table

So again I say, just forget me

But I want to make it clear

This Christmas season hasn’t been bad

It was a letdown at first I’ll admit

But there’s more going on here than that

We spent the present money

On service projects and charity

I helped pour soup for the homeless

A couple smiled at me gratefully

I may not be getting toys

But this year we focused on Jesus’ birth

He was given to this world so he could save us

I’ll remember that henceforth

Daddy told me later

The idea was to cancel X-mas

It’s not just about getting, but about giving

The birth of Jesus that’s true Christmas

So Santa I have one request

The toys you have in your bag for me

Please put them under a tree

For someone that needs them more than me

Recently I came across an article that talked about parents that cancelled Christmas. This article inspired me to write this poem.  The article goes into more detail about it, but the idea was the parents wanted to give their kids practical "gifts" instead of physical gifts. They also focused on the birth of Jesus, and the idea that it's better to give to others than to receive. Christmas has gotten to the point where many focus on what they can get but that's not really Christmas. That's the comercialized Christmas which I'm calling X-mas. Let's remember the true reason for the season, and keep Christ in Christmas.

Hey Friend, Keeping Pushing Forward!

I've been considering starting up a blog for a while now. While I can't guarantee how much I'll post, I do enjoy writing and reflecting. I guess you could say this is more for fun than anything else, but if I get a few people reading my stuff, that's cool too.

As we get closer to Christmas break, things get crazier. In my case, I have one final week of classes. Well, two days of classes, and three days of final exams. That's really not much and I'm grateful for that. On the flip side, it feels like just about every class has one last paper or project due this week and there's just very little motivation to do it. (That could explain why I suddenly found inspiration to start this blog...nah it's probably completely unrelated. ) It's gonna be rough getting everything done, but after this week I can chill for a month and enjoy the holiday sweets and get my share of sleeping in. One thing that has helped a little with the stress of this week is a random act of kindness done by an anonymous someone. Someone took some chalk and wrote various messages around campus including; "You can do it", "Keep moving forward", "Stay strong" and "God is with you" and several  = ) smiley faces can be found too. I can't really explain why, but whenever I read one of them, it causes me to stop, and smile for a few minutes.

Before I get back to work I want to close with a couple verses of encouragement.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:6,7 

"Do not give up for your hard work will be rewarded." - 2 Chronicles 15:7 

As Christmas break gets closer the motivation to do things may not be there. The bright side is it's almost here. Push through and do your best in everything that comes your way. Whether it's schoolwork, your job, or some other project. Take the advice of the "anonymous someone", "Stay Strong", "You can do it", "Keep moving forward" because "God is with you". Instead of getting anxious about it, take a deep breath and get it done. No matter what you face, God can help you through it. Now it's time for me to follow my own advice and get back to work. 

Chau for now.