locked OUT

I have two classes on Tues & Thurs, well my philosophy class brought some interesting conversation. It was really pretty cool how it all came about. Ya see, we are currently discussing a guy (famous philosopher) who is an existential atheist. To broaden your understanding of what existential means, I found wikipedia to actually be quite helpful. Anyways, we got into the whole debate on Free Will & how this philosopher says very bluntly, you can't have God & Free Will. I kept explaining that you absolutely, and that it makes the foundation for God. It was really pretty awesome how it happened. I got to share my faith, and did not feel shunned or anything of the sort. There were those who shot down my way of thinking, but I was not defensive, I was okay with it, and continued to intelligently approach my views. My prof does not agree with me one little bit, in fact, it would be safe to say he probably thinks I am lacking in many ways of basic intelligence. BUT, he has never felt the peace that passes understanding. I kind of offended this guy named Avi. Avi is a practicing Orthadox Jew, and with my statement of faith, it did....in a round about sort of way, condem him. I say that carefully, because God never condems anyone. There is always an opportunity for change. But, by saying to an Orthadox Jew, you must accept that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man to inherit the kingdom of heaven, you are....in a way, condeming him/her. When class was over, I waited for him, and we both walked a bit to discuss the matter further. Much respect for him, and I believe that goes both ways.

When class got over, and I was ready to go home to eat lunch........I WAS LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR!!!Yes, it is a horrible feeling to walk up to your car and frantically search yourself for car keys that aren't there. As you approach your vehicle, you hope and hope and hope that you just accidently placed them down while in the bathroom, or maybe dropped them when exiting the class room. You are thinking that anything would be better than locking them in your car. When all other possibilities are exhausted, you reluctantly approach your car..............there they are. Right in the ignition where you left them. As Homer Simpson would say, "DO'OH!!!"

So, I called around and found that help was not going to be contacted by phone, well not without really putting someone out. So, I started walking. I started to walk to my friend Josh, who works near by. I have frequented his work while on my way home from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays when I see him in his car on lunch break. I tried calling him, but he didn't pick up. So, I didn't really have any other option, so I just started walking over there. When I did, I roamed his building a bit, which is right across the busy street by my College. And I called him again, he picked up this time, and I told him my situation, and asked if I could borrow his car for a bit while I went home to get my spare key. He agreed, and saved my butt. I put $10 in his gas tank, and all was well with the key world. I was so thankful for him today.

Something amazing happened too. My friend Jama is getting back today. WOWZERS!!! It was so crazy how God worked that situation out too. Our last phone conversation & letter happened about 2 months ago. I have been meaning ever since to write her back. But sometimes I am so darn stupid with my priorities that I just kept putting it off, and putting it off. Jama has been at a place called Mercy Ministries which is in Nashville, TN. Boy oh boy did a lot of prayers and "GOD WORK" go into getting her there. But she went, and has been there for many months. I just so happened to take the time to write her a letter. I was doing it in the 45 spare minutes I had before I had to go back to work. As soon as I was done writing it, I gave Jama's mom a call to see when she was scheduled to come back. I knew it was sometime soon, but whether it was next month or what I had no clue. I called her mom, and when her mom...or so I thought called me back, IT WAS JAMA!! She was calling from her moms phone, on the road, driving back with her mum from Nashville!! I just so happened to call her mom, on the day that Jama was coming home. Coming home from her 4-6 month stretch in Nashville at Mercy. Hummm, ironic or God ordaned..... I will go with the later of the two. :-)

I went to a seminar tonight that BSF had about preaching the gospel. It was awesome, and I am super duper tired.

G'Night!!

It can't be....can it?

This morning we had the kids color pictures and enter them into a contest. I was asked by several children why I wasn’t drawing a picture. I responded, “Well, I don’t know, I guess I can draw a picture.” So I did. Here it is in all its beauteousness.There is my little Mexican Boy. Starting off this morning I had a horrible head ache(first oddity). It was not a normal feeling pain either. I know this pain, and it is the pain before the MonSter attacks. Immediately I told myself, that I mustn’t think like that. It is always best to keep an optimistic point of view. What good does worrying do? So, I go to class and gain insight and humor from my Eng W233 prof. He does such a great job of connecting the class together. I look at the way people watch him when he speaks, and they know he cares for them. Being sincere has such a way to impact people, a beautiful thing really.Well, as soon as class was over I had to go to the little boys room. This is where I started to lose my optimism for just a moment. I had to go to the restroom, it was getting close to being and EMERGENCY. I held my composure though, then when I stood at the toilet..........nothing is happening. I have to go so badly, but my body is locking up on me. I thought I was done having this problem!! I thought this was in the past, that I didn't have to worry about this anymore because of the Tysabri. I think I thought wrong. I prayed over it, and went to Snider to get in some contact work during their lunch times.This is the entrance of the High School that I always go through. I met up with some kids that I am starting to form relationships with, and it made my day to see them. It's all worth it right there, to see a kid have his day brightened just because someone chose specifically to impact him or her. That is what it is all about. Relational ministry is a very real and powerful thing. Quoting scripture and biblical knowledge has it's place, this shouldn't ever be overlooked. BUT, it's the "people aspect" that I thrive on. God is going to do so much through Young Life this year, I can just sense it.



I went back to work, and my head was pounding, and my urine was trickling. BUT, the kids always make me so happy. The "possible" health issues aren't anything big either. The pure fact that I am even mentioning them is more or less because I want to have documented evidence for my Neurologist and my own records. When work got out, I went and saw my cousin Matt. If you are an avid reader, you might remember Matt from this post, ~CLICK ME~ Well, because matt just recently went through some serious drama with his sister and her estranged boy friend/babies' daddy. Well, he got the boot, and is now living in a motel in a place that I can not mention just in case someone is reading.......Anyways, here is matt now.Now if you click on that picture, you might be able to enlarge it and see the war wounds from the accident. He has a gnarly scar that runs right through his right eye. God bless him he is trying hard. I told him, "man we are family, I am going to do everything I can to help you out." He just needs support and love to help keep him out of "THAT LIFESTYLE." I remember praying over him when he was coming in and out of consciousness while in the hospital. I have real love for him, and he is trying so hard to do right. I have to respect that, and do all that I can to help him where he is at. What a great ministry opportunity as well. If you pray, say a prayer for my cousin Matt. That God provides, and that Matt takes in order to better himself.....whatever that may mean.