Christmas Espresso

26Dec08

Christmas time is coming to a close.  When all is said and done, we will have been able to enjoy several celebrations with different people in our lives including friends, family, and co-workers.  Each day (it seems) has been filled with lots of eating and good laughs.

With Christmas comes both gift giving and gift receiving.  I always enjoy buying for other people because I look at it as a challenge to find that perfect item.  Sometimes the nail is hit on the head, other times there is a complete miss, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.

People always seem to do great with me.  My parents did a great job at getting me some video games and movies that I really wanted.  My wife knows me better than most everyone else and did great with a tea pot that will be used well.  And then my in-laws got me an espresso machine.

I look forward to many days of lattes and americanos as the winter hits Chicago-land full force.  It will take some time to perfect the new machine, but with some practice and lots of tasting it should not be too long until I am in espresso heaven.


Filed under: Miscellaneous   |  1 Comment
Tags: , , , ,

Non-Stop Life

16Dec08

Why is it that we make ourselves so busy? Speaking for myself, I feel like my life is constantly in motion. Rarely have I been able to sit around and not think about the next part of my day.
This can partially be due to having two jobs. While working for Crossroads full-time, I have also taken on the barista life at Starbucks. Generally opening, my day can start as early as 4am and continue non-stop until my head hits the pillow.
This is not complaining, just saying it how it is. Many people are like this as well. It can be problematic, however.
Please don’t get me wrong, I am a firm believer in the idea that idle hands can get people into trouble. What I’m saying is that busy hands can prevent you from living life to it’s fullest.
I think that if we stay constantly busy all the, we are hindering God to do great things in our lives. We may feel that getting involved with a community group, or having a personal devotion time is too hard with our current lifestyle. How can we make a commitment to something else when our schedule is already full?
We need to make sure that we do not fall into a hurry-sickness that so many people are a victom of. And by doing so, we will allow ourselves to do things for God that we may otherwise not have a chance to do.


Filed under: Christianity, Religion   |  0 Comments
Tags: , ,

Moving Away From Older Days

29Nov08

Going back home to Iowa is always enjoyable. There is something nice about being in a small town, especially in the town I grew up in. Every time I go back, however, it feels a little less like home.
Why are we able to disconnect ourselves with the past so easily? I only have a couple of friends from high school that I still talk to, and when I visit there is not really any desire to re-establish old relationships that have since evaporated. My guess is that I have not only changed since high school, but I have moved into a different part of my life.
I told someone that high school can be the best years of your life unless you continue on to college. This is not always the case, but it seems pretty accurate. Then again, I also moved three states away for my undergrad.
Living in the past can be hopelessly disappointing. I have met people who do so and are depressed about life. Eventually they gave up a great situation to be back to older days.
Am I jerk for thinking this? Hopefully not. I do know that I am very happy with where God has placed us, and have no regret for being in Joliet.


Filed under: Joliet, growing up, moving away, small town   |  0 Comments

The Worts of Worry

23Nov08

I realize quite some time has passed since my last entry. My apologies go out to those of you who have come here several times only to find old content. So finally after a long break, here is something new.

Have you ever worried about anything? If you can say ‘no’ to that, then you are a much better human than myself. We all worry to some degree. You could almost say it is natural. But is it?
I think we can get so caught up with life that we forget about the most important thing; God. Matthew 6:25-34 says that He does not want us to worry, but rather cast all of our anxieties to Him. It gets tough at times, especially when it concerns those we love.
But honestly think about it. What good is it to worry? Worrying does not help pay the bills, it doesn’t help us find a new job, it can’t stop someone from hurting you, and it most certainly does not help the Cubs win a World Series. The only good worry does to anyone is… well… I don’t know.
I challenge you the next time you start to get anxious about something to think about how much God has blessed you. Instead of focusing on the negative (or potentially negative), focus on what God has blessed you with and let him know how greatful you truly are.


Filed under: Christianity, Jesus, Religion, Worry, devotion   |  0 Comments

Final Thoughts on Mormonism as a Cult

16Oct08

We’ve reviewed several things over the past several posts. With everything, I never set out to totally disprove Mormonism. That would take much more time, and an extensive amount of research. I do not have time or will to devote my studies to this topic. This is a post with some closing thoughts about the Latter Day Saints.

Christianity is monotheistic.  This means that there is a belief that only one god has ever existed.  Christianity also believes that God has no beginning and created all things.  Mormonism, on the other hand, is polytheistic (sources).  They believe that God was not always God (great article concerning this matter), and that God was not created any differently than any of us (Doctrines and Covenants 93:29).

Mormons also consider the Book of Mormon to be just as authoritative (if not more) than the Bible.

Mormons believe we can become gods.  Here is a great article concerning that: As God Is, Man May Become?

For these reasons, the Mormons are a cult.  Thank you for the time you have spent in discussing this issue with me.


Filed under: My Thoughts   |  1 Comment
« Previous Entries