Sometimes I feel like a hack.
Sometimes I feel like everything I do is just barely squeaking by "acceptable."
This whole working for myself, raising a baby full time yet still making full time income is pretty surreal.
Part of me wonders how long I can sustain it, and another part of me wonders when I'll fail.
But then another part of me realizes that I'm basically living the dream.
I love where my life has led me, even though parts of it have sucked.
And I love how even though I fail constantly, God still hasn't given up on me.
I don't deserve it.
I'm a pretty vile, disgusting creature sometimes.
I wish my spiritual life was a little more solid.
Instead, I feel like I've been in free fall for years.
I have plenty of doubts, and much to learn.
Strangely enough, the more I learn, the less I know.
I think I've realized over the past decade that I'll never know everything, and that's okay.
I'd rather not know everything and be humble enough to admit it, than to be so arrogant as to assume that I know it all.
I feel like that much is going for me, at least.
But meanwhile, I feel like my faith has taken enormous steps backwards... maybe in sync with these doubts, or maybe causing them.
Whatever the case, I want things to move back toward where they used to be, when the world was simpler, and less black and white.
Sometimes I feel like everything I do is just barely squeaking by "acceptable."
This whole working for myself, raising a baby full time yet still making full time income is pretty surreal.
Part of me wonders how long I can sustain it, and another part of me wonders when I'll fail.
But then another part of me realizes that I'm basically living the dream.
I love where my life has led me, even though parts of it have sucked.
And I love how even though I fail constantly, God still hasn't given up on me.
I don't deserve it.
I'm a pretty vile, disgusting creature sometimes.
I wish my spiritual life was a little more solid.
Instead, I feel like I've been in free fall for years.
I have plenty of doubts, and much to learn.
Strangely enough, the more I learn, the less I know.
I think I've realized over the past decade that I'll never know everything, and that's okay.
I'd rather not know everything and be humble enough to admit it, than to be so arrogant as to assume that I know it all.
I feel like that much is going for me, at least.
But meanwhile, I feel like my faith has taken enormous steps backwards... maybe in sync with these doubts, or maybe causing them.
Whatever the case, I want things to move back toward where they used to be, when the world was simpler, and less black and white.
The last week has been exhausting.
After a long week doing documentary work in South Africa, we flew to Zambia and drove in to Malawi. The next morning we welcomed a team from Newfoundland that was here to visit the orphanage and help out. They've kept us running pretty much nonstop since then. They fly on to Tanzania tomorrow, and I can't say my body will miss them much. Hopefully I can catch up on the lack of sleep. :-P
It's fun here. I think I could live here quite easily. I don't think that's in the forecast, though… not for a while anyway. Maybe some day when Kara's parents retire from the field or something. In the mean time, we'll probably look at teaching English overseas somewhere within the next three to five years or so.
We'll see. :-)
Unfortunately my brain won't process much today, so there won't be much of substance in this post. Sorry about that. Just be glad I spared you my mental diarrhea.
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
- Current Mood:exhausted
I'm back! …sort of.
It's been a long, long time since I've written anything, and since then I've grown, matured and evolved in what I think and what I believe. It used to be that I had everything figured out, but I've come to find out that I barely know anything… and that's okay. I no longer have a burning need to feel like I have everything sorted out in my head, and I've learned to embrace mystery and the unknown. Life is far more adventurous and exciting this way anyway.
So for anyone out there still using this dinosaur known as LiveJournal, stick around. I might just keep at it for a while. :-)
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
- Current Location:Malawi, Central Region,Lilongwe District, Dsoka
He never asked us to accept Him.
He asked us to reject our old life and obey Him.
Where did we ever get the theology that He wants us to accept Him, pray a magic prayer and suddenly think we have a get-into-heaven free ticket?
We are justified not by faith alone, but by both faith AND obedience.
- James 2.18-24 [paraphrased]
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
It baffles me how we could ever come to the conclusion that something as mysterious and amazing as salvation could ever be boiled down to a formula, a three-step process, or a special prayer we prayed that one time. As if we have it all figured out. As if a magical prayer is all there is to it. As if salvation is dispensed from the heavenly vending machine when you put the three quarters into it in proper order.
If we dare to strip the Divine of its mystery, aren't we castrating the Gospel?
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
dear fellow Believers,
government is not the answer. never has been, never will be. Jesus didn't change peoples' lives by changing the laws of the land. He changed their hearts. He loved them to life. government always has been and always will be a secular organization designed to keep order and to protect individual rights and freedoms, not to legislate and enforce morality. isn't it about time we stopped shooting our domestic evangelistic efforts in the feet by trying to shove our morality down the throats of those who don't agree with us? isn't it about time we redirected all that energy we've been spending lobbying the government to set rules according to our beliefs into loving people until their hearts change? isn't it about time we decided to follow Jesus' example, instead of running off on our own tangent, trying to accomplish things our own way? I think, perhaps, we've lost the plot somewhere along the way.
love, David
government is not the answer. never has been, never will be. Jesus didn't change peoples' lives by changing the laws of the land. He changed their hearts. He loved them to life. government always has been and always will be a secular organization designed to keep order and to protect individual rights and freedoms, not to legislate and enforce morality. isn't it about time we stopped shooting our domestic evangelistic efforts in the feet by trying to shove our morality down the throats of those who don't agree with us? isn't it about time we redirected all that energy we've been spending lobbying the government to set rules according to our beliefs into loving people until their hearts change? isn't it about time we decided to follow Jesus' example, instead of running off on our own tangent, trying to accomplish things our own way? I think, perhaps, we've lost the plot somewhere along the way.
love, David
- Current Music:nope
- Current Mood:
content - Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
when I think of my wife I think 'point and shoot.'
I guess you have to be a photography geek to find it funny.
I guess you have to be a photography geek to find it funny.
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Music:non
- Current Mood:
silly
Can God use a Democrat?
Or is His arm not long enough to work through someone who isn't a Republican?
Is He unable to turn the head of a ruler who isn't vehemently opposed to abortion?
Is He limited by the political opinions of the man in charge?
Or is He actually God?
I guess we'll find out. :-)
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
what is it about Jesus and making things happen suddenly? maybe He just likes to see the stupidied looks on our faces when He surprises us out of the blue. I bet we look pretty funny... He probably gets a good chuckle.
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.
Job 5.17-18
Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12.11
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
I Corinthians 9.27
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5.24
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
I'm sick of so much fake.
Where are the authentic?
I miss them...
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
1, What colour is your toothbrush?
green and white
2, Name one person that made you smile today
my friend Katie called China "the middle east." I laughed.
3, What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
sleeping
4, What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
reading/watching the news
5, What is your favourite candy ?
Lindor chocolates
6, Have you ever been to a strip club?
they have clubs for that? I didn't know people enjoyed pulling wallpaper off walls so much...
7, What is the last thing you said aloud?
"love you too" to my mom [awwwww]
8, What is the best ice cream flavour?
depends who you ask. I like chocolate with caramel.
9, What was the last thing you had to drink?
some Coke last night
10, What is the longest you have gone without sleeping?
Around three days while travelling back from Sri Lanka in 2005
11, Have you ever made a promise you'd die to keep?
maybe?
12, Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
yes. I bought shiny sliver-grey dress pants. w00t!
13, The last sporting event you watched?
on TV? I watched some of the Ravens game on Sunday. live? wow, it's been a while.
14, What is your favourite flavour of popcorn?
...popcorn flavour?
15, Who is the last person you sent a message to on Facebook?
Jenilea
16, Ever go camping?
last time I was camping was in the desert in Botswana, where ice would freeze on our tents overnight and lions would threaten to attack if the fire got too low. okay, maybe not so much that last part...
17, Do you take vitamins daily?
vita-what?
18, Do you go to church every Sunday?
most Sundays... sometimes I sleep through my alarm...
19, Do you have a tan?
if I do it's likely from the glow of my monitor.
20, Do you like Chinese food over pizza?
blech, no. especially not North American "Chinese" food. real Chinese food is pretty good though.
21, Do you drink your soda with a straw?
very rarely
22, What did your last text message say?
the married brother saying "k, I'll email you later tonight" in response to my demands for his and Deb's Christmas lists.
23, What are you doing tomorrow?
working.
24, Where is your dad?
at work, hurtling through the streets at breakneck speeds in a large tin contraption known as a "city bus."
25, Look to your left, what do you see?
the rest of my desk, covered with my laptop, a spindle of DVD-R's, and various African ornaments that I have no other place for.
26, What colour is your watch?
broken colour. I should really get that fixed...
27,What do you think of when you hear Australia?
it's an island, not a continent. if it's a continent, so is Greenland.
28, What is your birthstone?
peridot
29, Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
usually go in, because Subways here don't have drive-thru's, and that's usually the only fast food place I eat at.
30, What is your favourite number?
7
31, Who's the last person you talked to on the phone?
Kailey, due to her getting engaged and having a birthday all at once
32, Any plans today?
pick up silver pants from tailor, go to work, stand around and yawn, come home from work, Facebook/email, sleep.
34, Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
I'm in North America.
35, Last song listened to?
some random podcast of Japanese house music last night. hahaha
36,Can you say the alphabet backwards?
I have more productive things to do with my time ... like filling out random questionnaires...
37, Do you have a maid service clean your house?
they'd probably quit on the spot.
38, Favourite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
being that I'm a guy, and have three pairs of shoes [dress shoes, summer Crocs, winter Crocs], I'd have to go with my Crocs.
39, Are you jealous of anyone?
not usually of one particular person
40, Is anyone jealous of you?
usually when they see my car.
41, Do you love anyone?
as in family and friends? yes. as in someone more "special" than that, nope.
42, Do any of your friends have children?
pretty much everyone my age.
43, What do you usually do during the day?
depends on the day
44, Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
I have better things to do with my time.
45, Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
usually I say it with a Slavic accent... "hkhkhallo!"
46, What colour is your car?
silver
47, Do you like cats?
I sure do, but I can't eat a whole one.
49, Have you ever been to Six Flags?
driven by about five different ones, but never been to one.
50, How did you get your worst scar?
cut down a tree; it fell on my hand.
51, last cigarette?
not applicable
52, last CD played?
a Starfield one in my car
53, last BUBBLE bath?
when I was like ..... 4?
54, last time you cried?
probably hasn't been all that long
54, last meal?
yesterday
55, have you ever dated someone twice?
I don't usually throw dates at friends. it gets sticky.
56, have you ever kissed someone & regretted it?
being that I haven't kissed someone in the first place, no.
57, have you ever fallen in love?
yeah, didn't see it lying there and lost my balance. had to change my pants.
58, you ever lost someone?
to circumstances, yes. to death, no.
59, have you ever slept until 1pm?
frequently. I'm basically nocturnal.
60, Have you ever been drunk and threw up ?
Starbucks probably doesn't count for this, does it?
61, list FIVE people you can tell pretty much anything to –
don't think I have five
62, list THREE favourite colours/shades —
steel blue, navy blue, yellow
63, Laughed until you cried:
sorry, was there a question in there somewhere?
64, Went behind your parents back:
couldn't reach the remote, asked dad to bend forward.
65, Your last kiss?
probably my dog.
66, Gay Marriage?
hijacking a spiritual union for the sake of a sexual fetish? can't say I'm in support of that any more than I'd be in support of the "right" to marry your sister or your child just because you have a fetish about them.
67, Lowering the drinking age?
honestly, I can't say I'm a fan of government imposed restrictions on drugs or alcohol. but that's a long topic...
68, Straight, Gay, or Bi?
I know it's not the most politically correct thing to say, but I'm normal. get over it.
69, Who are the best huggers that you know?
my grandpa, Josh and Melinda.
70, Do you believe in love at first sight?
if I did I clearly have no clue as to what love actually is.
71. Is there something you want to tell someone?
yeah, and I think I'll put it right here in this public Internet posting. thanks for reminding me!!1!
72, What brand of shirt are you wearing?
uhhhhh... Nevada? I think it's from Walmart... or Sears... I forget.
73, Would you kiss anyone on your top friends?
I don't have top friends. and if I did, I wouldn't kiss one of them.
74, How many kids do you want to have?
you mean if I get married, right?
75, Do you want to change your name?
I've toyed with changing my last name, but probably not.
76, Last time you saw your father?
last night.
77, What time did you wake up today?
8.30... the dog was getting into the garbage can in my room and I couldn't get back to sleep. stupid dog.
76, how old are you?
frigging old.
79, What were you doing at midnight last night?
watching Apocalypto I think
80, What is your favourite thing in your room?
either my computer or my phone because they keep me in touch with friends.
81, Where is your best friend right now?
at work, probably.
green and white
2, Name one person that made you smile today
my friend Katie called China "the middle east." I laughed.
3, What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
sleeping
4, What were you doing 45 minutes ago?
reading/watching the news
5, What is your favourite candy ?
Lindor chocolates
6, Have you ever been to a strip club?
they have clubs for that? I didn't know people enjoyed pulling wallpaper off walls so much...
7, What is the last thing you said aloud?
"love you too" to my mom [awwwww]
8, What is the best ice cream flavour?
depends who you ask. I like chocolate with caramel.
9, What was the last thing you had to drink?
some Coke last night
10, What is the longest you have gone without sleeping?
Around three days while travelling back from Sri Lanka in 2005
11, Have you ever made a promise you'd die to keep?
maybe?
12, Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
yes. I bought shiny sliver-grey dress pants. w00t!
13, The last sporting event you watched?
on TV? I watched some of the Ravens game on Sunday. live? wow, it's been a while.
14, What is your favourite flavour of popcorn?
...popcorn flavour?
15, Who is the last person you sent a message to on Facebook?
Jenilea
16, Ever go camping?
last time I was camping was in the desert in Botswana, where ice would freeze on our tents overnight and lions would threaten to attack if the fire got too low. okay, maybe not so much that last part...
17, Do you take vitamins daily?
vita-what?
18, Do you go to church every Sunday?
most Sundays... sometimes I sleep through my alarm...
19, Do you have a tan?
if I do it's likely from the glow of my monitor.
20, Do you like Chinese food over pizza?
blech, no. especially not North American "Chinese" food. real Chinese food is pretty good though.
21, Do you drink your soda with a straw?
very rarely
22, What did your last text message say?
the married brother saying "k, I'll email you later tonight" in response to my demands for his and Deb's Christmas lists.
23, What are you doing tomorrow?
working.
24, Where is your dad?
at work, hurtling through the streets at breakneck speeds in a large tin contraption known as a "city bus."
25, Look to your left, what do you see?
the rest of my desk, covered with my laptop, a spindle of DVD-R's, and various African ornaments that I have no other place for.
26, What colour is your watch?
broken colour. I should really get that fixed...
27,What do you think of when you hear Australia?
it's an island, not a continent. if it's a continent, so is Greenland.
28, What is your birthstone?
peridot
29, Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
usually go in, because Subways here don't have drive-thru's, and that's usually the only fast food place I eat at.
30, What is your favourite number?
7
31, Who's the last person you talked to on the phone?
Kailey, due to her getting engaged and having a birthday all at once
32, Any plans today?
pick up silver pants from tailor, go to work, stand around and yawn, come home from work, Facebook/email, sleep.
34, Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
I'm in North America.
35, Last song listened to?
some random podcast of Japanese house music last night. hahaha
36,Can you say the alphabet backwards?
I have more productive things to do with my time ... like filling out random questionnaires...
37, Do you have a maid service clean your house?
they'd probably quit on the spot.
38, Favourite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
being that I'm a guy, and have three pairs of shoes [dress shoes, summer Crocs, winter Crocs], I'd have to go with my Crocs.
39, Are you jealous of anyone?
not usually of one particular person
40, Is anyone jealous of you?
usually when they see my car.
41, Do you love anyone?
as in family and friends? yes. as in someone more "special" than that, nope.
42, Do any of your friends have children?
pretty much everyone my age.
43, What do you usually do during the day?
depends on the day
44, Do you hate anyone that you know right now?
I have better things to do with my time.
45, Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
usually I say it with a Slavic accent... "hkhkhallo!"
46, What colour is your car?
silver
47, Do you like cats?
I sure do, but I can't eat a whole one.
49, Have you ever been to Six Flags?
driven by about five different ones, but never been to one.
50, How did you get your worst scar?
cut down a tree; it fell on my hand.
51, last cigarette?
not applicable
52, last CD played?
a Starfield one in my car
53, last BUBBLE bath?
when I was like ..... 4?
54, last time you cried?
probably hasn't been all that long
54, last meal?
yesterday
55, have you ever dated someone twice?
I don't usually throw dates at friends. it gets sticky.
56, have you ever kissed someone & regretted it?
being that I haven't kissed someone in the first place, no.
57, have you ever fallen in love?
yeah, didn't see it lying there and lost my balance. had to change my pants.
58, you ever lost someone?
to circumstances, yes. to death, no.
59, have you ever slept until 1pm?
frequently. I'm basically nocturnal.
60, Have you ever been drunk and threw up ?
Starbucks probably doesn't count for this, does it?
61, list FIVE people you can tell pretty much anything to –
don't think I have five
62, list THREE favourite colours/shades —
steel blue, navy blue, yellow
63, Laughed until you cried:
sorry, was there a question in there somewhere?
64, Went behind your parents back:
couldn't reach the remote, asked dad to bend forward.
65, Your last kiss?
probably my dog.
66, Gay Marriage?
hijacking a spiritual union for the sake of a sexual fetish? can't say I'm in support of that any more than I'd be in support of the "right" to marry your sister or your child just because you have a fetish about them.
67, Lowering the drinking age?
honestly, I can't say I'm a fan of government imposed restrictions on drugs or alcohol. but that's a long topic...
68, Straight, Gay, or Bi?
I know it's not the most politically correct thing to say, but I'm normal. get over it.
69, Who are the best huggers that you know?
my grandpa, Josh and Melinda.
70, Do you believe in love at first sight?
if I did I clearly have no clue as to what love actually is.
71. Is there something you want to tell someone?
yeah, and I think I'll put it right here in this public Internet posting. thanks for reminding me!!1!
72, What brand of shirt are you wearing?
uhhhhh... Nevada? I think it's from Walmart... or Sears... I forget.
73, Would you kiss anyone on your top friends?
I don't have top friends. and if I did, I wouldn't kiss one of them.
74, How many kids do you want to have?
you mean if I get married, right?
75, Do you want to change your name?
I've toyed with changing my last name, but probably not.
76, Last time you saw your father?
last night.
77, What time did you wake up today?
8.30... the dog was getting into the garbage can in my room and I couldn't get back to sleep. stupid dog.
76, how old are you?
frigging old.
79, What were you doing at midnight last night?
watching Apocalypto I think
80, What is your favourite thing in your room?
either my computer or my phone because they keep me in touch with friends.
81, Where is your best friend right now?
at work, probably.
- Current Mood: silly
- Current Music:none
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
If you're reading this, and you happen to know me personally, you need to fill this out.
Ready, set, go!
1. Describe me. You get five words.
2. What do you think is my greatest gifting/strength?
3. What do you think is my greatest weakness/blindspot?
4. Where do you expect you'll find me in five years?
5. If you had to give me a unique nickname, what would it be and why?
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
Teach me how to let go. Teach me to trust. Teach me how to stop trying to be in control. Teach me to be okay with not being okay.
Because I suck at giving up control. I'm a stickler for having my hand on the wheel and my foot on the gas. I always feel like I have to solve all the problems. And I don't.
Help.
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
Why can't I do anything right??
Life sucks when nothing goes how you intended it to.
Lately life has been one big fat bag of suck.
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
so for those of you who feel compelled to buy stuff for me this Christmas
I figured I'd be nice and give you some specifics, rather than "meh, whatever."
here ya go, in no particular order... well, except for important things last.
I figured I'd be nice and give you some specifics, rather than "meh, whatever."
here ya go, in no particular order... well, except for important things last.
- computer game: Call of Duty - World At War [$60 ?]
- black socks [$10ish]
- black hockey tape [$5 or so]
- Apple in-ear headphones with remote and microphone [$80ish]
- money for photography reflector [$25ish]
- money for fm transmitter for iPhone [$50ish]
- money for new hard drive [$150ish]
- DVD: Batman - The Dark Knight [$30ish]
- Canon 70-200mm f\2.8L IS USM lens [$1800]
- Canon 16-35mm f\2.8L lens [$1600]
- Canon 5D Mark II camera [$2900]
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: silly
I feel like the kid who can never reach the cookie jar when everyone else can.
That's a big bag of suck.
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
Why do they call the "soap operas?"
With the content in them these days they should be called "grope operas."
...just wonderin'...
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
I am restless.
Why?
What is my heart missing?
Why can't I get to sleep?
If only I could figure myself out.
The thoughts stampede through my mind, and I roll over yet again.
The clock doesn't stop, and neither does my brain, intent on solving all the world's problems at the cost of my slumber.
Stupid brain. I should amputate you.
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
...have I become sluggish?
cause it sometimes feels like I've become a slug.
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
- Current Location:Canada, Ontario
Dear Partners,
Well, ministry here in Romania is wrapping up, and I thought I'd send you one more update on how things are going. I'm not sure if I'll have time over the next few days to get a final update out, but at least I can tell you about how ministry has gone so far this month.
We've been having an incredible time! Our two teams here have been seeing some pretty incredible ministry, doing dramas in the streets, visiting children's hospitals, going to gypsy villages, and putting on VBS programs in parks. We actually had a pretty incredible opportunity this month to work in this huge kids park that the city of Oradea built. It's probably about 4 or 5 acres of playgrounds, skate parks, soccer/basketball courts and an amphitheatre, and we've been having over 200 kids every single night we've been there. Tonight is our big finale at this park, and we're expecting incredible results. So far this month we've seen about 37 salvations, and we're looking forward to many more before our time here is done.
Tonight we have our finale session at Rogerius, the big kids park. Tomorrow morning we have church, and tomorrow evening we have a drama site. Monday morning is our final drama site, and we'll be debriefing and packing in the afternoon and evening. God has been faithful to do some incredible things in the city of Oradea this summer, as well as in the lives of the young people on the trip. So many of them have seen tremendous growth in their walk with Christ, and have learned how to communicate the Gospel in a relevant and effective manner. It's been so fun watching them catch God's heart for the lost, and seeing them step out and lead people to Christ.
Please pray for us, that we'd finish strong, and that these last few days that we have with our teams would be impactful. We're believing that when our young people return home they'll no longer fit into their society and their culture, but that they'd be so completely changed that they'd stick out and make a difference wherever it is that they return to.
Thank you so much for partnering with me this summer. Your prayers and support have made a difference in eternity.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
Well, ministry here in Romania is wrapping up, and I thought I'd send you one more update on how things are going. I'm not sure if I'll have time over the next few days to get a final update out, but at least I can tell you about how ministry has gone so far this month.
We've been having an incredible time! Our two teams here have been seeing some pretty incredible ministry, doing dramas in the streets, visiting children's hospitals, going to gypsy villages, and putting on VBS programs in parks. We actually had a pretty incredible opportunity this month to work in this huge kids park that the city of Oradea built. It's probably about 4 or 5 acres of playgrounds, skate parks, soccer/basketball courts and an amphitheatre, and we've been having over 200 kids every single night we've been there. Tonight is our big finale at this park, and we're expecting incredible results. So far this month we've seen about 37 salvations, and we're looking forward to many more before our time here is done.
Tonight we have our finale session at Rogerius, the big kids park. Tomorrow morning we have church, and tomorrow evening we have a drama site. Monday morning is our final drama site, and we'll be debriefing and packing in the afternoon and evening. God has been faithful to do some incredible things in the city of Oradea this summer, as well as in the lives of the young people on the trip. So many of them have seen tremendous growth in their walk with Christ, and have learned how to communicate the Gospel in a relevant and effective manner. It's been so fun watching them catch God's heart for the lost, and seeing them step out and lead people to Christ.
Please pray for us, that we'd finish strong, and that these last few days that we have with our teams would be impactful. We're believing that when our young people return home they'll no longer fit into their society and their culture, but that they'd be so completely changed that they'd stick out and make a difference wherever it is that they return to.
Thank you so much for partnering with me this summer. Your prayers and support have made a difference in eternity.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Mood:
happy - Current Music:none
- Current Location:Oradea, Romania
Hey everyone!
It's been a while since I've written, but life in Romania has been going great! Over the week in between teams the nine of us who are here all summer went to see some of the sights in Budapest. We had a great time, and got rested up in time for the second month. B Trip arrived about a week ago, and after a couple of days of training began ministry; and God is already doing incredible things!
Shortly after finishing training here in Romania, our project had a commissioning service where the leaders pray for and commission each of the missionaries for ministry over the month. We started at about 10.30pm and were planning to go for about an hour. Three and a half hours later, at 2am, we finally finished. The Holy Spirit decided to show up and wreck our plans, which is always fun. It was so fun to watch the young people experience God's presence in such a tangible way, and to watch them minister and worship together. It was an incredible time that so far this month seems to have been a foreshadowing of what God was about to do.
We've been on ministry now for about four days. My team has mostly been doing VBS ministry this week, though we've also had opportunities for personal evangelism in the mall and a local orphanage. Tomorrow we have another day of VBS, and then next week we'll be mostly doing drama ministry, while the other team that's here will switch from drama ministry to VBS. I'm looking forward to getting out to the streets and parks to do drama; it's going to be awesome. :o)
Tonight we did our final VBS at a park called Valenţia [pronounced vah-LEN-see-ah]. This was our third one there [one of our planned four nights there got rained out], and the lesson was about Jesus. Our team rocked it out and did an amazing job, and 25 kids decided to make Jesus their friend. It was fun, and brought a good closure to the site that we've been working at this week. This morning we were at a government run orphanage, playing soccer and building relationships with the young people there, and we'll be back there in the morning. Tomorrow night we'll be at a youth service at the church that we're working with here, and then the weekend will have some more VBS ministry.
Things with my team are going great, and I'm having an incredible time. I don't have "borrowed" wireless access in my room any more, which is why I'm not online or writing updates quite as much any more, but I'm hoping to have a few more updates to send soon, and probably some pictures as well. I hope you're having an incredible summer, and I want to thank you again for your prayers and support and encouragement. It means a lot, and lives are being changed as a result. Thank you for partnering with me!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
It's been a while since I've written, but life in Romania has been going great! Over the week in between teams the nine of us who are here all summer went to see some of the sights in Budapest. We had a great time, and got rested up in time for the second month. B Trip arrived about a week ago, and after a couple of days of training began ministry; and God is already doing incredible things!
Shortly after finishing training here in Romania, our project had a commissioning service where the leaders pray for and commission each of the missionaries for ministry over the month. We started at about 10.30pm and were planning to go for about an hour. Three and a half hours later, at 2am, we finally finished. The Holy Spirit decided to show up and wreck our plans, which is always fun. It was so fun to watch the young people experience God's presence in such a tangible way, and to watch them minister and worship together. It was an incredible time that so far this month seems to have been a foreshadowing of what God was about to do.
We've been on ministry now for about four days. My team has mostly been doing VBS ministry this week, though we've also had opportunities for personal evangelism in the mall and a local orphanage. Tomorrow we have another day of VBS, and then next week we'll be mostly doing drama ministry, while the other team that's here will switch from drama ministry to VBS. I'm looking forward to getting out to the streets and parks to do drama; it's going to be awesome. :o)
Tonight we did our final VBS at a park called Valenţia [pronounced vah-LEN-see-ah]. This was our third one there [one of our planned four nights there got rained out], and the lesson was about Jesus. Our team rocked it out and did an amazing job, and 25 kids decided to make Jesus their friend. It was fun, and brought a good closure to the site that we've been working at this week. This morning we were at a government run orphanage, playing soccer and building relationships with the young people there, and we'll be back there in the morning. Tomorrow night we'll be at a youth service at the church that we're working with here, and then the weekend will have some more VBS ministry.
Things with my team are going great, and I'm having an incredible time. I don't have "borrowed" wireless access in my room any more, which is why I'm not online or writing updates quite as much any more, but I'm hoping to have a few more updates to send soon, and probably some pictures as well. I hope you're having an incredible summer, and I want to thank you again for your prayers and support and encouragement. It means a lot, and lives are being changed as a result. Thank you for partnering with me!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Mood: happy
- Current Music:none
- Current Location:Oradea, Romania
Hey everyone!
Just a brief update to let you all know what's happening here. On Tuesday morning, after some goodbyes and tears, our first team left for debriefing in the States. It's always sad to see them go after building such tight relationships with them, but we also look forward to the new team arriving here in a few short days.
Tomorrow, Thursday, we're traveling to Budapest, Hungary, to see the sights and experience their culture. We're also going Starbucks hunting. We'll be there until Monday morning, at which point we'll be traveling back to Oradea to prepare for B Trip's arrival on Thursday the 10th.
Thanks again for all your prayers. Keep warring on our behalf, especially for our A Trip friends who are on their way home, and for our B Trip friends who will be landing in Texas for training in a few days. And keep Oradea and the nation of Romania in your prayers as well. People here are desperate for something different than the traditions and religion that bores them... they need something real.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
Just a brief update to let you all know what's happening here. On Tuesday morning, after some goodbyes and tears, our first team left for debriefing in the States. It's always sad to see them go after building such tight relationships with them, but we also look forward to the new team arriving here in a few short days.
Tomorrow, Thursday, we're traveling to Budapest, Hungary, to see the sights and experience their culture. We're also going Starbucks hunting. We'll be there until Monday morning, at which point we'll be traveling back to Oradea to prepare for B Trip's arrival on Thursday the 10th.
Thanks again for all your prayers. Keep warring on our behalf, especially for our A Trip friends who are on their way home, and for our B Trip friends who will be landing in Texas for training in a few days. And keep Oradea and the nation of Romania in your prayers as well. People here are desperate for something different than the traditions and religion that bores them... they need something real.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Location:Oradea, Romania
- Current Music:dozens of random dogs barking outside
- Current Mood: happy
Hello everyone!
Well folks, we're halfway through already. My first team's official ministry finished up last night, and within a couple of days a good chunk of them will be flying back to Texas for debriefing, and then on to their homes all over North America to continue their mission. That's the beautiful thing about mission trips; the trip ends, but the mission continues. Please be praying for my team, that those who are going home would take the change they experienced in their lives this summer and apply it at home, and that those who are staying would have a refreshing week before the second team arrives.
Ministry here went really well this month. This trip is far more laid back and open than most trips I've been on thus far, which makes for a challenge, but it's also got some unique advantages. On most Global Expeditions trips, we're doing ministry for anywhere from 5 to 8 hours per day, most times in multiple locations each day, with each location being a new and different one that's been set up by our local contacts. On this trip, we've had one or two locations per day, we got to choose which locations to focus on, and we would go back to the same locations numerous times through the month. The advantages were that we as team leaders could focus on the sites that we were seeing the most headway at, and that we could build more enduring and impactful relationships with the people we came in contact with at the sites we visited; the disadvantage is that it's hard to keep the team's energy level up with only one or two ministry sites per day, and that there's less time in the day devoted to ministry this way. But regardless of the disadvantages, we have had an incredible month, with great results. At last tally, we ministered to over 600 people this month, and saw more than 60 of them give their lives to Christ.
Over the next couple of days we'll be talking to the young people about how to take the lessons they've learned on the trip and apply them to daily life at home, as well as helping them develop a plan for continuing the mission when they arrive back in their culture. On Tuesday all but 9 of us will leave for the States. The 9 staying here will have a few days to rest, recuperate, see a few sights, and prepare for the arrival of our second team on July 10th. Upon arrival, we'll be training the new teams [there will be two teams next month, while we only had one team this month] in their drama and VBS ministry tools, and heading out to the streets shortly thereafter.
Thank you all for your prayers and intercession on our behalf! They are having an incredible impact, and many lives are being changed as a result. Please continue to pray for us as we enter this time of transition and preparation, and keep praying that God would prepare and open hearts here in Romania. Your support is valued greatly, and your reward is great!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
Well folks, we're halfway through already. My first team's official ministry finished up last night, and within a couple of days a good chunk of them will be flying back to Texas for debriefing, and then on to their homes all over North America to continue their mission. That's the beautiful thing about mission trips; the trip ends, but the mission continues. Please be praying for my team, that those who are going home would take the change they experienced in their lives this summer and apply it at home, and that those who are staying would have a refreshing week before the second team arrives.
Ministry here went really well this month. This trip is far more laid back and open than most trips I've been on thus far, which makes for a challenge, but it's also got some unique advantages. On most Global Expeditions trips, we're doing ministry for anywhere from 5 to 8 hours per day, most times in multiple locations each day, with each location being a new and different one that's been set up by our local contacts. On this trip, we've had one or two locations per day, we got to choose which locations to focus on, and we would go back to the same locations numerous times through the month. The advantages were that we as team leaders could focus on the sites that we were seeing the most headway at, and that we could build more enduring and impactful relationships with the people we came in contact with at the sites we visited; the disadvantage is that it's hard to keep the team's energy level up with only one or two ministry sites per day, and that there's less time in the day devoted to ministry this way. But regardless of the disadvantages, we have had an incredible month, with great results. At last tally, we ministered to over 600 people this month, and saw more than 60 of them give their lives to Christ.
Over the next couple of days we'll be talking to the young people about how to take the lessons they've learned on the trip and apply them to daily life at home, as well as helping them develop a plan for continuing the mission when they arrive back in their culture. On Tuesday all but 9 of us will leave for the States. The 9 staying here will have a few days to rest, recuperate, see a few sights, and prepare for the arrival of our second team on July 10th. Upon arrival, we'll be training the new teams [there will be two teams next month, while we only had one team this month] in their drama and VBS ministry tools, and heading out to the streets shortly thereafter.
Thank you all for your prayers and intercession on our behalf! They are having an incredible impact, and many lives are being changed as a result. Please continue to pray for us as we enter this time of transition and preparation, and keep praying that God would prepare and open hearts here in Romania. Your support is valued greatly, and your reward is great!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Location:Oradea, Romania
- Current Mood: happy
- Current Music:none
Hello everyone,
I'm writing to ask that you please keep my team especially in your prayers over the next day or two.
The young man who I asked you to pray for last week is now being sent home. We're believing that this decision will be a beneficial one for him, and that he will use it as an opportunity to make some dramatic changes in his life. But it's definitely not easy to sit beside a young man and have to tell him that we're going to have to send him home from his mission trip early, and it definitely won't be easy on my team to lose one of their family members. Please pray for us, that the transition would be smooth, that this young man's life would change dramatically as a result, and that my team would be able to move on quickly from the loss.
This morning my team is at a state-run [and I use the word "run" very loosely here] orphanage, which will more than likely be a shock to them. Our Global Partners have told us that the government orphanages here in Romania are in horrible condition, and the kids are dirty and basically uncared for. I'm praying that my team will be impacted greatly, and that the kids that they come into contact with would remember the love of Christ that we share with them. Please pray that this would be an impactful visit for my team, and that many orphans' lives would be affected as a result.
Thank you for your prayers and your support. It means a lot to know that when my arms are tired I can call on your faithful support to hold up my arms and see the victory won.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
I'm writing to ask that you please keep my team especially in your prayers over the next day or two.
The young man who I asked you to pray for last week is now being sent home. We're believing that this decision will be a beneficial one for him, and that he will use it as an opportunity to make some dramatic changes in his life. But it's definitely not easy to sit beside a young man and have to tell him that we're going to have to send him home from his mission trip early, and it definitely won't be easy on my team to lose one of their family members. Please pray for us, that the transition would be smooth, that this young man's life would change dramatically as a result, and that my team would be able to move on quickly from the loss.
This morning my team is at a state-run [and I use the word "run" very loosely here] orphanage, which will more than likely be a shock to them. Our Global Partners have told us that the government orphanages here in Romania are in horrible condition, and the kids are dirty and basically uncared for. I'm praying that my team will be impacted greatly, and that the kids that they come into contact with would remember the love of Christ that we share with them. Please pray that this would be an impactful visit for my team, and that many orphans' lives would be affected as a result.
Thank you for your prayers and your support. It means a lot to know that when my arms are tired I can call on your faithful support to hold up my arms and see the victory won.
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Location:Oradea, Romania
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood:
morose
Hey everyone!
Week one of ministry here in Romania is now over, and we're about to begin our second week, expecting even greater things!
Over the past week we've put on VBS programs in three locations; two parks, and an orphanage. It's been fun to build relationships with the kids at each park, and then to get to go back and continue building with them over a few days. At the orphanage we saw around 25 kids give their lives to Christ, and this week we'll be giving the kids in the parks the opportunity to do so, as well as working in a couple other parks. It's going to be an incredible week!
I'm got a few pictures up so that you can see them over the week. I haven't been going absolutely crazy with the pictures yet, but I've managed to grab about 1200 so far. So I should have a pretty decent selection. ;o) Anyway, here are a few shots from the past week here in Oradea, Romania:
[Click to see full-size]
Please continue to pray for my team and for the attacks and the difficulties that we're battling through. There are still a few who aren't feeling well, and still some attitudes and personality quirks for us to work through. We're praying that this trip will help these young people to get rid of a lot of baggage, so that they're able to move forward and step into everything that God's got for them with no hindrances. Please join with us in pressing through to breakthrough in the lives of our young people and in the ministry here in Romania.
Thank you again for your support. You are making an eternal difference!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His testimony!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
Week one of ministry here in Romania is now over, and we're about to begin our second week, expecting even greater things!
Over the past week we've put on VBS programs in three locations; two parks, and an orphanage. It's been fun to build relationships with the kids at each park, and then to get to go back and continue building with them over a few days. At the orphanage we saw around 25 kids give their lives to Christ, and this week we'll be giving the kids in the parks the opportunity to do so, as well as working in a couple other parks. It's going to be an incredible week!
I'm got a few pictures up so that you can see them over the week. I haven't been going absolutely crazy with the pictures yet, but I've managed to grab about 1200 so far. So I should have a pretty decent selection. ;o) Anyway, here are a few shots from the past week here in Oradea, Romania:
[Click to see full-size]
Please continue to pray for my team and for the attacks and the difficulties that we're battling through. There are still a few who aren't feeling well, and still some attitudes and personality quirks for us to work through. We're praying that this trip will help these young people to get rid of a lot of baggage, so that they're able to move forward and step into everything that God's got for them with no hindrances. Please join with us in pressing through to breakthrough in the lives of our young people and in the ministry here in Romania.
Thank you again for your support. You are making an eternal difference!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His testimony!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Location:Oradea, Romania
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: happy
Hey everyone,
So, after missing a flight in the not-so-very-amazing Paris airport, I finally made it to Romania last night! We have wireless internet here on campus at the church we're staying at here in Oradea, Romania, so I should be able to update fairly frequently over the summer for a change. Hopefully I can drop a few pictures online as well. :o)
Things are going fairly well so far. No one is sick, and ministry is starting soon. Today was country orientation day, and tomorrow will be church. Monday is the planned start day for our drama and VBS ministry. I'm pretty excited about getting back to work soon. :o)
More updates to come soon... stay tuned!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
So, after missing a flight in the not-so-very-amazing Paris airport, I finally made it to Romania last night! We have wireless internet here on campus at the church we're staying at here in Oradea, Romania, so I should be able to update fairly frequently over the summer for a change. Hopefully I can drop a few pictures online as well. :o)
Things are going fairly well so far. No one is sick, and ministry is starting soon. Today was country orientation day, and tomorrow will be church. Monday is the planned start day for our drama and VBS ministry. I'm pretty excited about getting back to work soon. :o)
More updates to come soon... stay tuned!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
Hello everyone!
Wow! This week has been flying by, and I've been busier than ever! I arrived in Garden Valley Texas on Friday, and my Mission Advisors arrived on Saturday. The missionaries themselves arrived yesterday and my team is pretty incredible! We have 24 young people plus three leaders and a country assistant [aka logistics coordinator]. We'll be flying out to Romania on Thursday afternoon, via Amsterdam. I'm really excited for all that God is going to do on this trip; it's shaping up to be pretty incredible already!
I don't have a lot of time to write, but I wanted to send out a couple of prayer requests. We have a couple of kids who are homesick and need some peace and comfort; please keep them in your prayers so that they'll be able to come and have an incredible summer along with the rest of their team in Romania. Today was the toughest day of immersion [we did drama training in the Texas heat most of the day long], so the rest of the time here in Texas should be easier for them, but please lift them up if you think of it.
I'll keep this update short, and hopefully I'll find some more time to update you on the immersion process before we actually leave. I hope you're all having a great summer so far! Thank you so much for your prayers and support... they mean so much, and the lives of young people from all over North America are being touched and changed as a result of your support. And next week, the lives of Romanians will be too. You are playing a part in a great work... thank you!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
Wow! This week has been flying by, and I've been busier than ever! I arrived in Garden Valley Texas on Friday, and my Mission Advisors arrived on Saturday. The missionaries themselves arrived yesterday and my team is pretty incredible! We have 24 young people plus three leaders and a country assistant [aka logistics coordinator]. We'll be flying out to Romania on Thursday afternoon, via Amsterdam. I'm really excited for all that God is going to do on this trip; it's shaping up to be pretty incredible already!
I don't have a lot of time to write, but I wanted to send out a couple of prayer requests. We have a couple of kids who are homesick and need some peace and comfort; please keep them in your prayers so that they'll be able to come and have an incredible summer along with the rest of their team in Romania. Today was the toughest day of immersion [we did drama training in the Texas heat most of the day long], so the rest of the time here in Texas should be easier for them, but please lift them up if you think of it.
I'll keep this update short, and hopefully I'll find some more time to update you on the immersion process before we actually leave. I hope you're all having a great summer so far! Thank you so much for your prayers and support... they mean so much, and the lives of young people from all over North America are being touched and changed as a result of your support. And next week, the lives of Romanians will be too. You are playing a part in a great work... thank you!
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering!
Your Fellow WorldChanger,
David Wm. Eckmier
- Current Location:Garden Valley, TX, USA
- Current Mood: happy
- Current Music:none
you know you're from southern Ontario when you plug your space heater in at night, and your fan in in the morning.
- Current Music:nada
- Current Mood: weird
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
- Krishnamurti
How well adjusted are you?
How many things in our profoundly sick society bother you?
What do you do about it?
- Krishnamurti
How well adjusted are you?
How many things in our profoundly sick society bother you?
What do you do about it?
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood:
pensive
so I'm getting pretty pumped for Romania C.
and I heard this new song by Starfield.
it's called I Will Go.
and it is now my absolute favourite song.
like ... I wish I wrote it, because it's inredible.
here are the lyrics:
Verse 1
To the desperate eyes and reaching hands,
To the suffering and the lame,
To the ones the world has cast aside,
Where You want me, I will be.
Chorus:
I will go, I will go, I will go, Lord send me
To the world, to the lost, to the poor and hungry.
Take everything I am; I’m clay within Your hands.
I will go, I will go, send me.
Verse 2:
Let me not be blind with privilege;
Give me eyes to see the pain.
Let the blessing You’ve poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain.
Let this life be used for change.
Bridge:
I want to live for You, go where you need me,
I want to follow You.
if you're on facebook [like you should be]
and feel like listening to it, go here.
it's about halfway down the page on the left.
enjoy!
and I heard this new song by Starfield.
it's called I Will Go.
and it is now my absolute favourite song.
like ... I wish I wrote it, because it's inredible.
here are the lyrics:
Verse 1
To the desperate eyes and reaching hands,
To the suffering and the lame,
To the ones the world has cast aside,
Where You want me, I will be.
Chorus:
I will go, I will go, I will go, Lord send me
To the world, to the lost, to the poor and hungry.
Take everything I am; I’m clay within Your hands.
I will go, I will go, send me.
Verse 2:
Let me not be blind with privilege;
Give me eyes to see the pain.
Let the blessing You’ve poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain.
Let this life be used for change.
Bridge:
I want to live for You, go where you need me,
I want to follow You.
if you're on facebook [like you should be]
and feel like listening to it, go here.
it's about halfway down the page on the left.
enjoy!
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Mood:
excited - Current Music:Starfield - All We Need [5.31]
why is it that God chooses the really reallly sore and tender muscles to be used to help other people with?
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Mood:
sore - Current Music:none
asparagus is just really tall broccoli.
- Current Music:nada
- Current Mood: random
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
the great thing about doritos is, they never go bad.
the bad thing about doritos is ... they never go bad.
the bad thing about doritos is ... they never go bad.
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Mood: weird
- Current Music:nada
anyone seen my sanity?
- Current Mood: silly
- Current Music:nada
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
I just got told that I have attractive cheekbones.
that's weird.
that's weird.
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood:
surprised - Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
"Generally speaking, a princess who's looking for a prince is usually more attractive when he shows up to find her if she's not out in the garden kissing frogs to see if one of them will turn into a prince." - me
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: random
skinny jeans on guys make me want to vomit. twice.
- Current Mood: random
- Current Music:none
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
"a wife of noble character who can find?"
no... SERIOUSLY... who the heck can find her?!??
does she even exist?? gosh! sure doesn't seem like it!!
[selah]
I'm pretty sure Solomon wrote this out of exasperation after his 900-something'th wife. *
* [okay, okay... so I know Solomon didn't actually write Proverbs 31... but it would have been funnier if he had, wouldn't it?]
no... SERIOUSLY... who the heck can find her?!??
does she even exist?? gosh! sure doesn't seem like it!!
[selah]
I'm pretty sure Solomon wrote this out of exasperation after his 900-something'th wife. *
* [okay, okay... so I know Solomon didn't actually write Proverbs 31... but it would have been funnier if he had, wouldn't it?]
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: silly
I'm riding the bus home from work.
a mom gets on with her baby boy in a stroller.
he's probably almost 12 months old, and a little pudgy.
every. single. female. head. on the bus swiveled. immediately.
they were all smiling and making cutesy at him.
I wish I had that kid's lady skillz.
a mom gets on with her baby boy in a stroller.
he's probably almost 12 months old, and a little pudgy.
every. single. female. head. on the bus swiveled. immediately.
they were all smiling and making cutesy at him.
I wish I had that kid's lady skillz.
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: silly
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
as seen on msn:
"the new one is newer"
- Jonathan
"the new one is newer"
- Jonathan
- Current Music:Hillsong United - Came To The Rescue [4.58]
- Current Mood: silly
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
WANTED:
FEMALE IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION
Must be:
- Younger than me [but not too much please]
- Shorter than me [even if by just a little]
- Prettier than me [shouldn't be too hard]
- Smaller than me [might be more difficult]
- Smarter than me [again, shouldn't be too hard]
- Continually improving herself [reading books and whatnot]
- Good looking [to determined by an expert; me]
Must have:
- Intense, vibrant relationship with God
- The ability to challenge and inspire
- Fun, lively personality
- Quick, intelligent mind
- Mental, spiritual and emotional maturity
- A great sense of humour
- A passion for young people
- A passion for the nations/missions/unreached
- A love for Teen Mania
- An eternally-focused mindset
- Leadership abilities/potential
- A spare finger available for a ring
Would prefer:
- Shoulder-length-ish brown/blonde hair
- A words of affirmation person
- Knows how to cook
- Loves to eat steak
- A girly girl
- Can handle bluntness and honesty
- Great singing voice
- Likes watching football
- Politically competent at least
Compensation:
- Frequent compliments and encouragement
- Continual personal development
- Profit sharing and regular bonuses
- Personal escort and bodyguard
- Personal massage therapist
- Personal fashion consultant
- Personal photographer
- A shiny ring
Interested applicants may submit their application electronically, or may mail their application along with money. Okay, maybe not money. But don't delay! Spaces are limited, so HURRY THE CRAP UP!
No, seriously. Hurry up.
FEMALE IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION
Must be:
- Younger than me [but not too much please]
- Shorter than me [even if by just a little]
- Prettier than me [shouldn't be too hard]
- Smaller than me [might be more difficult]
- Smarter than me [again, shouldn't be too hard]
- Continually improving herself [reading books and whatnot]
- Good looking [to determined by an expert; me]
Must have:
- Intense, vibrant relationship with God
- The ability to challenge and inspire
- Fun, lively personality
- Quick, intelligent mind
- Mental, spiritual and emotional maturity
- A great sense of humour
- A passion for young people
- A passion for the nations/missions/unreached
- A love for Teen Mania
- An eternally-focused mindset
- Leadership abilities/potential
- A spare finger available for a ring
Would prefer:
- Shoulder-length-ish brown/blonde hair
- A words of affirmation person
- Knows how to cook
- Loves to eat steak
- A girly girl
- Can handle bluntness and honesty
- Great singing voice
- Likes watching football
- Politically competent at least
Compensation:
- Frequent compliments and encouragement
- Continual personal development
- Profit sharing and regular bonuses
- Personal escort and bodyguard
- Personal massage therapist
- Personal fashion consultant
- Personal photographer
- A shiny ring
Interested applicants may submit their application electronically, or may mail their application along with money. Okay, maybe not money. But don't delay! Spaces are limited, so HURRY THE CRAP UP!
No, seriously. Hurry up.
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: silly
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
So.... are you really out there? I mean, everyone says you are, using all those wonderful catchphrases, so you must be. right? I've heard the clichés for years. "Don't worry, she's out there!" "God has the perfect one for you!" "Just you wait, she'll be along soon!" "She'll be everything you've ever dreamed!" But do clichés that I've heard my whole life actually have any bearing on reality? Is the paradigm that I grew up with correct, or is it just an assumption of a likely possibility?
Are you really out there?
Part of me wonders if my heart's been tricked into believing that you are, because it sure wants to believe. But are feelings and desires and yearnings of the heart accurate indicators of reality? Am I to base my beliefs on what I feel, or what my heart longs for? If the feelings of my heart are any indication, I'm in for one incredible woman. But what if those feelings are wrong? What if my heart is just yearning for something it wasn't supposed to have in the first place?
Are you really out there?
I've sat here, watching as most of my friends my age have got hitched up and headed down the path toward marital bliss. A lot of them have made it there, and still more of them are about to arrive. A number of them even have kids now. And that's not all. Now I'm watching as younger and younger friends and acquaintances are coupling up, tying knots and popping babies. I can't help wonder if maybe I missed the bus? Is there ever going to be a bus for me? If there is, when the heck does it show up?? Or am I not even anywhere near the bus stop?
Are you really out there?
Maybe I'm just worrying about something that was never meant to be a part of my life. Maybe I'm just caught up in the stereotypical concept of what life is supposed to look like in our society. You grow up, you get a job, you get married, you have kids, you go to soccer games, you have grand kids, you die. But, maybe in my case, you grow up, you get a job, you work your life away, and you die. That's hardly what I want. That's hardly what my heart wants.
Are you really out there?
Most of the time I'm fine. I don't bother worrying about this. In fact, most of the time I just brush the issue away and declare myself a bachelor till the rapture and act like it doesn't matter to me... like I could care less if I was with someone or not. Most of the time. But no matter how tough I can make myself act, and no matter how tough the mask I wear when I don't want to deal with the issue is, underneath it all it's actually quite sensitive and tender. Part of me wonders if it would just be easier if I fused that mask to my face and eliminated all possibilities, saving myself from any potential pain that could come. But the rest of me - most of me - knows that I'd be miserable if the rest of my life was spent by myself. Alone. I think I'm afraid of those five letters. Sure, I have parents and friends and Jesus and stuff. I'm not literally alone. But on a heart level... that's a whole different story.
Are you really out there?
I wonder if Adam's heart felt like mine does when God looked at Him and said that it wasn't good for him to be alone. I wonder if Adam was so perfect that he had no desire whatsoever for anything other than the companionship that God was to him ... or if he was actually human and had emotions like me, and got down in the dumps from time to time. I wonder if the way I feel when I look around and see beautiful creatures all around me but not one that really fits me is the same way Adam felt when he was naming all the animals. I wonder if he was longing for a companion as he named them all, even complaining to God that none of the beautiful creatures he'd seen seemed to fit him. I feel like there's no one that I've come in contact with who's a suitable companion for me, and it begs the question whether I'm being too picky, or I'm just blind, or I don't know what to look for, or even whether what I'm looking for exists.
Are you really out there?
I wonder if I'm wasting my time writing this. I can't sleep, I have to get up for work in two hours, but I need to get this off my chest. Yet I can't help but wonder if I'm just transcribing my heart in vain. I wonder if you'll ever read this. I wonder if you even exist. I wonder if I'll go crazy if you don't. I wonder if I'll ever find you if you do. I wonder if I'll win you if I find you.
Are you really out there?
Maybe I wonder too much. But it's the wondering that gives me at least a shred of hope and keeps my heart alive. And I fear that if that shred of hope was gone, I'd just shut my heart off and give up on the notion that there could ever be someone who would fit me. The trite clichés and catchphrases don't give me any hope. The obligatory pity encouragement of people who already found their match don't give me hope. Even sometimes the Bible doesn't give me hope. I'm just being real. Can you handle my reality?
Are you really out there?
I hope so. I pray so. Hopefully you come soon... because it's not good for David to be alone. Jesus said so.
Are you really out there?
Part of me wonders if my heart's been tricked into believing that you are, because it sure wants to believe. But are feelings and desires and yearnings of the heart accurate indicators of reality? Am I to base my beliefs on what I feel, or what my heart longs for? If the feelings of my heart are any indication, I'm in for one incredible woman. But what if those feelings are wrong? What if my heart is just yearning for something it wasn't supposed to have in the first place?
Are you really out there?
I've sat here, watching as most of my friends my age have got hitched up and headed down the path toward marital bliss. A lot of them have made it there, and still more of them are about to arrive. A number of them even have kids now. And that's not all. Now I'm watching as younger and younger friends and acquaintances are coupling up, tying knots and popping babies. I can't help wonder if maybe I missed the bus? Is there ever going to be a bus for me? If there is, when the heck does it show up?? Or am I not even anywhere near the bus stop?
Are you really out there?
Maybe I'm just worrying about something that was never meant to be a part of my life. Maybe I'm just caught up in the stereotypical concept of what life is supposed to look like in our society. You grow up, you get a job, you get married, you have kids, you go to soccer games, you have grand kids, you die. But, maybe in my case, you grow up, you get a job, you work your life away, and you die. That's hardly what I want. That's hardly what my heart wants.
Are you really out there?
Most of the time I'm fine. I don't bother worrying about this. In fact, most of the time I just brush the issue away and declare myself a bachelor till the rapture and act like it doesn't matter to me... like I could care less if I was with someone or not. Most of the time. But no matter how tough I can make myself act, and no matter how tough the mask I wear when I don't want to deal with the issue is, underneath it all it's actually quite sensitive and tender. Part of me wonders if it would just be easier if I fused that mask to my face and eliminated all possibilities, saving myself from any potential pain that could come. But the rest of me - most of me - knows that I'd be miserable if the rest of my life was spent by myself. Alone. I think I'm afraid of those five letters. Sure, I have parents and friends and Jesus and stuff. I'm not literally alone. But on a heart level... that's a whole different story.
Are you really out there?
I wonder if Adam's heart felt like mine does when God looked at Him and said that it wasn't good for him to be alone. I wonder if Adam was so perfect that he had no desire whatsoever for anything other than the companionship that God was to him ... or if he was actually human and had emotions like me, and got down in the dumps from time to time. I wonder if the way I feel when I look around and see beautiful creatures all around me but not one that really fits me is the same way Adam felt when he was naming all the animals. I wonder if he was longing for a companion as he named them all, even complaining to God that none of the beautiful creatures he'd seen seemed to fit him. I feel like there's no one that I've come in contact with who's a suitable companion for me, and it begs the question whether I'm being too picky, or I'm just blind, or I don't know what to look for, or even whether what I'm looking for exists.
Are you really out there?
I wonder if I'm wasting my time writing this. I can't sleep, I have to get up for work in two hours, but I need to get this off my chest. Yet I can't help but wonder if I'm just transcribing my heart in vain. I wonder if you'll ever read this. I wonder if you even exist. I wonder if I'll go crazy if you don't. I wonder if I'll ever find you if you do. I wonder if I'll win you if I find you.
Are you really out there?
Maybe I wonder too much. But it's the wondering that gives me at least a shred of hope and keeps my heart alive. And I fear that if that shred of hope was gone, I'd just shut my heart off and give up on the notion that there could ever be someone who would fit me. The trite clichés and catchphrases don't give me any hope. The obligatory pity encouragement of people who already found their match don't give me hope. Even sometimes the Bible doesn't give me hope. I'm just being real. Can you handle my reality?
Are you really out there?
I hope so. I pray so. Hopefully you come soon... because it's not good for David to be alone. Jesus said so.
- Current Mood: meh
- Current Music:none
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
“Would that God would make hell so real to us that we cannot rest; heaven so real that we must have men there.”
Hudson Taylor
Hudson Taylor
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: pensive
I'm finding it hard to sleep tonight. An opportunity has come up in the last couple of days, and even though it's probably a long-shot for me, I still can't help but wonder if maybe - just maybe - this is what I've been waiting and hoping and praying for for years. Maybe this is my big break? Maybe this is the opportunity I've been trying to find for such a long time but kept missing? Maybe this is the beginning of the road that will take me further toward the destiny that God has for me? Whatever the case, it certainly has me antsy and fidgety. I can't sit still, let alone lie still in my bed; it's 5 am and I'm wide awake.
I can't exactly share what it is en masse yet, because it's way far from certain, and probably far from the normal definition of possible. But, I believe in a different definition of possible, and I believe that if this is the road that God has for me, no man can stand in His way. He specializes in difficulties. And I know that He has the best for me, regardless of whether I think I know what it is or not.
I spent about an hour wrestling with God over it tonight, though. Well... maybe not wrestling. More like contending. Pleading my case. Voicing my desires. Expressing my hope. Asking for favour. I have no idea what He thinks of all this, but I do know that if it's right and if it's a fit, I'll have ridiculous favour. And if it's wrong, He'll let me know, and guide my steps. But I don't think I've ever been this gittery or optimistic or fidgety about something that - in my mind - is such a long-shot. Maybe I'm just counting myself out early, or maybe I'm overexaggerating the shoes I could fill. Whatever the case, I trust He'll show me what He thinks and what He wants.
God, I know You have the best for me.
Please show me what that is, one way or the other.
Give me favour. Give me insight. Give me wisdom.
Give me You.
I can't exactly share what it is en masse yet, because it's way far from certain, and probably far from the normal definition of possible. But, I believe in a different definition of possible, and I believe that if this is the road that God has for me, no man can stand in His way. He specializes in difficulties. And I know that He has the best for me, regardless of whether I think I know what it is or not.
I spent about an hour wrestling with God over it tonight, though. Well... maybe not wrestling. More like contending. Pleading my case. Voicing my desires. Expressing my hope. Asking for favour. I have no idea what He thinks of all this, but I do know that if it's right and if it's a fit, I'll have ridiculous favour. And if it's wrong, He'll let me know, and guide my steps. But I don't think I've ever been this gittery or optimistic or fidgety about something that - in my mind - is such a long-shot. Maybe I'm just counting myself out early, or maybe I'm overexaggerating the shoes I could fill. Whatever the case, I trust He'll show me what He thinks and what He wants.
God, I know You have the best for me.
Please show me what that is, one way or the other.
Give me favour. Give me insight. Give me wisdom.
Give me You.
- Current Mood:
antsy - Current Music:none
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
today I realized that I don't have very many solid friends here.
in fact, I sat up on the stage today, trying to not cry while I was drumming.
I only have two, maybe three guys who I would consider good friends.
and I can't think of a single girl who I have a half-decent friendship with here.
sure, I have lots of acquaintances at church.
I'll shake their hand, pound their fist, slap their back and say hi.
sometimes I'll give them a hand hug, because hand hugs are the best.
but when it comes down to it, they know nothing about me, and I know nothing of them.
we just smile, ask how we are [the answer is always "good"], and move on.
it's all so superficial and fake, and it makes me wonder where the blame lies.
because it's not like I'm not trying to develop deeper friendships with people.
but it would seem to me that, aside from two or three, they're all just acquaintances.
and what makes me wonder even more is, I go out of my way to talk to people.
I do my very best to try to say hi to everyone, or at least to acknowledge them.
yet I can stand there for five, ten, fifteen minutes... and no one will say hi to me.
I'm not exaggerating; I've tried it. numerous times.
beyond that, some who I try to get to know show me they'd rather I didn't.
is there something wrong with me? am I that revolting and disgusting to people?
it's not like I'm not friendly or not outgoing. I try to be as friendly as I can.
so what is it that keeps me from developing any friendships that matter?
aside from two or three people, it feels like everyone else just puts up with me.
and that's probably only because it's extremely rude to ignore people.
today is supposed to be a happy day... a day of giving thanks.
but all I feel like doing right now is curling up under a blanket and crying.
it feels like I got punched in the gut, and had the air knocked out of me.
and my heart aches. not just figuratively... it physically hurts, and burns.
I'm not angry with anyone in particular, and I'm not pointing fingers.
but shouldn't the body of Christ look a little different than this?
maybe it's just me, but shouldn't we be free from the cliques and relational politics?
shouldn't the love that we claim we walk in make a difference in how we treat each other?
shouldn't someone who makes the effort to try to talk with people not feel so alone in the crowd?
or am I just imagining things? am I just expecting too much?
whatever the case, I'm not feeling it. at all.
everyone has their group of friends, and they all get along just great.
they laugh and joke and goof around, and then put up with me when I try to join in.
but when the rubber meets the road, they give the impression that they'd rather I wasn't there.
like I'm cramping their style or like I just don't belong.
why is it that someone like me can have so many solid friends all over the continent...
...friends who will challenge me and encourage me and push me to grow...
...yet so very, very few real friends at home or at church?
why is it that the more I try to be friendly and invest in people, the more I feel like an annoyance?
is there something that I'm doing that's driving people away in droves?
am I just blind to some personality quirk that no one's brave enough to tell me about?
or is my church just full of fake, snotty people, enjoying their time in their cliques?
I don't have a clique. I don't have a group of friends that I hang out with regularly.
why? because I try to hang out with as many people as I can.
maybe I'm just being a grouch and throwing myself a pity party.
but it seems I'm the only one who would throw me a party anyway.
this is what makes me miss so many of my real friends... my trenchmates.
this is why I work my ass off [pardon the french] to stay in touch with them.
because they're real friends. they're Brothers and Sisters unlike anything around. they're Family.
it used to feel that way at church. it used to feel like we were one big family.
but lately it's begun feeling like a big club, and I can't seem to find my ID to get in.
and for all the patting ourselves on the back and congratulating ourselves that we do,
you'd think we'd be better at making people feel valued, instead of making them feel revolting.
I realize that this isn't the church's problem; it's peoples' problems.
please don't read into it that I'm somehow blaming the church itself, because I'm not.
I love my church, and I love what it stands for and what it does.
but somehow it's gone from being a place where I felt I belonged to a place where I feel alone.
it feels like I could turn on a drum machine and no one would notice I wasn't there.
honestly, I think that's the only thing that people notice about me... I'm the drummer.
I come back from my summers, and I hear it over and over.
"hey! glad you're back! we missed your drumming."
gee, thanks. maybe I should just record myself, so they wouldn't miss anything.
I'm not saying I'm not appreciative when people compliment my drumming or anything.
but it comes across like all they missed was my drumming, not me.
sure, some might ask how it went. but probably 85% ask out of obligation, not interest.
I'm not writing because I want people to feel sorry for me, or to suck up to me. I don't.
I'm not writing it because I have a vendetta, or because I want attention.
in fact, I'd rather I was able to write it and just hide it, but God won't let me.
I just need to get it off my chest. the tears can only do so much.
I dunno. maybe I'm just selfish [probably], and maybe I'm just too sensitive.
but my heart hurts, and I'm at a loss for what to do.
I just wish the heartache would stop.
I just wish I had real friends.
- Current Music:none
- Current Mood: sad
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
so I just finished reading Blue Like Jazz.
yes... at 5.45 in the morning.
and I must say, that is one inflammatory book.
not in a bad sense, but in a very, very good sense.
it's probably the most provoking book I've ever read.
it'll take me a while to process all the thoughts it's raised.
I definitely recommend it to everyone. highly.
get your hands on a copy, and read it.
oh, and Velvet Elvis too.
- Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
- Current Mood: pensive
- Current Music:none
a conversation on MSN tonight:
Friend: dude i have something i need to share
Me: uh oh
Friend: i have this friend
Me: "this friend," huh?
Friend: yea, i went to his house after my hockey game to play some guitar
Me: [just giving you a hard time
Friend: and its weird ive had a crush on his sister for a while
Friend: shes Gorgeous!
Friend: i dont know her that well but..
Friend: i have this funny feeling
Friend: the tingly feeling
Me: it's cooties dude. shower.
Me: use soap... it kills them.
another random thought for tonight...
not that I'm complaining or anything; I love helping my friends.
but why is it that I'm always doling out relationship advice?
...especially since I'm a very, very single, man?
that is weird.
- Current Music:Air1.com
- Current Mood:
meh - Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
"we reproduce who we are, not what we want."
john maxwell
- Current Music:GE Podcast - How to be Effective in Training Part 2
- Current Mood:
good - Current Location:Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
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worldchanger- That Canadian Guy
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I remember who you are... been a long time since we talked though! Sounds like life's been good. When exactly did you get hitched? Any little ones running around yet??
As a side note, I…