hmmmm ...???

hey do you ever feel something (like an emotion) but you're not exactly sure what it is you feel?
i think i'm experiencing that now.

or ... it might just be the sumatra pumping through my veins.

My "Anti-Blog"

so people complained about my last blog update which went a little something like this: "i love my life."

i didn't feel like i needed to elaborate, however because i felt strongly that that's all that needs to be said. "i love my life." but some people asked for elaboration so in this entry i will give 5 reasons why i love my life.

but before i do, i just want you all to know why i originally kept that blog to just those 4 simpe words. the reason is simple: because rarely do people in our culture express gratitude or appreciation for their lives. we as a culture do way too much complaining! man, are we ever an ungrateful generation! i mean, people REVEL in complaining!!

i'm guilty of it too i'm sure, but it's something that i've become acutely more aware of since last year. we complain about everything: how busy we are, how bored we are, how annoying people are, how cold it is, how hot it is, etc. i'd just like to point out that having a spirit of complaining is sinful. remember when the Israelites were complaining to Moses about having no meat, God gave them so much meat that it came out their noses. it's a pretty gory picture.

anyway, i consider this my "anti-blog" since so many people merely use their blogs as a forum to complain. this isn't just an exercise in "positive thinking" (whatever), but i truly do LOVE my life (tara and i often revel in how much we love our respective lives, haha). it's not just "there's nothing to complain about," but i really enjoy living and i want people to know that and celebrate with me!!

5 reasons Why I Love My Life:
1. Knowing God Personally: indescribable. how can you capture with our finite words the deep spring of satisfaction and joy that comes from knowing the almighty creator of the universe? i pray that my roots would continue to grow down deep in the bible, so that i could drink more daily from his Word.

2. Mom and Pops: i have been more than blessed with a family that has been a model of what a household should more or less look like. not perfect to be sure, but my parents gave me a firm spiritual foundation, communicated the importance of character, integrity, and dedication, and loved me through all my years of rebelliousness. they never once disowned me, even though i gave them many reasons to, haha.

3. My Men: God has placed in my life MEN of integrity and character. i'm so thankful for them. they're wise, honest and inspire me to keep on going inward and upwards. i have the utmost respect for them. they're committed, courageous and display servant leadership. they reflect Christ to me. PLUS, they're fun and we have lots of laughs together. we've started going our separate ways already but i consider the men who are here, and even those who are gone, like my brothers.

4. Opportunities: God has given me so many opportunities in life -- to see the world, to meet new people, and to experience things that make me sit back in wonderment and think: "wow." i remember thinking last year: "i can't believe i'm only 22 and i've experienced so much already." and it's not just experiences for the sake of experiences. i know and can trace how with each challenge that comes my way, it is another building block to help me reach the next step in my growth as a man, in leadership and as a Christ-centred labourer. i'm thankful.

5. FUN: ok, so i feel a little convicted after listening to a John Piper sermon in which he said people are too preoccupied with fun, but i think this is one of the reasons i love my life. i think there are fun people around me and things are just fun. man, every day i get to have so many laughs with people i love, and no matter what we're doing it seems like we're having fun. even when we're in the library writing an essay, things are fun. is that weird?? i dunno, but it just seems like my life is good times.

anyways, all that to say that i LOVE my life. i like reflecting on these things because i'm thankful for all of these things (and more), that seem to converge together and make life great. yea, sometimes things aren't "perfect" but that's not the point. the point is that i'm genuinely thankful for the life that God has given me and am joyful whenever i think and reflect upon all the gifts he has given me. and those gifts aren't a reflection of my greatness, but is a reflection of HIS goodness.

in conclusion:
i love my life.