Exodus

So I've got 11 chapters left in Exodus. The last like 5 chapters have been a drag. It was just an extremely repetitive description of offerings and alters and the tabernacle and priest clothing and my gosh. It was just rough to get through. I know there's a reason (which i'm not sure of) but is there really a reason to be that in-depth and repetitive. One chapter is God's description of how to make the clothes. The next chapter is a description of Moses giving people the description of how to make the clothes. Cant they just say, here's how you make the clothes, then say they made them? Whatever. Genesis was totally exciting to read and Exodus has kinda seemed boring. Maybe I'm missing something... maybe not.

Proverb

Proverbs 15:9 The Lord hates how sinners live. But he loves those who run after what is right. (NIRV) A life frittered away disgusts God; he loves those who run straight for the finish line. (The Message) I included both version because they each say a little bit different things to me. "the Lord hates how sinners live" sticks out to me because I live like a sinner. "run straight for the finish line." i want that to be my goal, my purpose. Everything I do should be for God, but it isn't always like that. Today I will strive for that.

No school for you.... pthua!

I convinced my mom to let me skip this semester of school. YES! But, its on one condition: I must go to Nicolet next year. That's fine with me. Nicolet sounds like a great experience, although a year away from all I have here seems a stretch. Also, if I go to Nicolet, I'll be needing a more reliable car. So I'm on the look for a new car. I did find a Dodge Dakota sport truck for 3500. Don't know anything else about the car. I wouldn't mind driving that beast around.

Proverb

12-13 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

Proverb

Today my proverb is 12:21 "No evil can overwhelm a good person, but the wicked have their hands full of it." Often I feel overwhelmed by the filth of my sin. It pounds against my heart, relentlessly, refusing to give up. I give in to my sin all the time. Why does it overcome? Why do I let it? Many reason, but either way it's time to change it.

Proverb

Today, I read Proverbs 11. I've decided to read the NIV first and then read the message. It seems to be more understandable to me. Here's the verse I picked out for today. 14 Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

Proverb

Today is the tenth, so I read Proverbs 10. The one verse I picked out, that stuck out to me was verse 17. In The Message, it says "The road to life is a disciplined life; ignore correction and you're lost for good." I don't lack discipline in my life, I'm just disciplined to do the wrong things. Discipline is just a set or system of rules and regulations. I've got my own set that I'm stuck on. With this new year, I've made some resolutions, and I'm trying to change my set of rules. I will discipline myself in a whole new way.

Genesis

I just finished reading Genesis. I started just before Christmas, and just got to the end today. I'm actually kind of disappointed that it's over. I really enjoyed reading about Jacob and Joshua and all that jazz. I would like to learn more about the peeps in Genesi (not Genesis, but Genesi (jen-ihs-eye)).

Chicago

Our time with Jon didn't end there. As our trip to Iowa ended Sunday, he needed to go to Chicago for his Moody class (classes?). About an hour away from Moody, he decided to run over a hitch in the road and caused a flat. Except the tire didn't go flat until we were going to leave moody. After a little bit of work and getting wet in the January rain, we got the spare on and he spent the night at my house. Monday morning we returned to Moody with the fixed tire and attempted to swap the spare for the fixed tire... OOOHHH NOOO! SLAM!!!! As the car was jacked up, without a tire on, the jack falls over and the car crumbles to the ground without a tire on. What a sight. well, we got it fixed, but it was still an...interesting tire change. Then me and adam went down again on wednesday to hang with jon. we arrived there at about 250, and jon didn't get outta class till 5, so we went to portillos (the best hot dog and burger joint in chicago) and to Sports Authority, which may be the biggest sports store in the world. after jon got outta class, we went to sports authority again cuz jon wanted to see it. then we went to giordano's (which has some super delicious pizza with like a pound of cheese per bite). then we went back to his dorm to recuperate. we watched some more youtube videos and then went to the coolest mcdonalds in the world to get some shakes. after that we called it a night. no more jon until march! poop poop butt butt!

Iowa

January third through sixth, Adam and I went to Iowa to visit Jon and lead worship at his church on Sunday. This was our third trip out there, and each time we go it seems to be more and more fun. Leading like 250 people in worship was a little different than usual, but at the same time tons of fun. That combination of playing new songs along with playing with Jon makes a memorable experience. Besides worship, we made tons of other great memories: The fruitcake lady ("i'd go up to her and smack the piss outta her"); achmed the dead terrorist (shut-up, i kill you); drinking about a thousand gallons of sparkling white grape juice; attempting and failing to make a diet coke and mentos rocket; playing our new ping-pong game (sacapunta) for like 6 hours and then being sore on our whole bodies for like 4 days; seeing national treasure (OOO it's obvious... the two towers resolute: lets go to the queens desk); teaching Ruthie and Micah "peace out" in a deep voice (i'm adding gangsta next time i go back); smelling some of the worst gas ever!; and of course, going to our usual Godfathers, OCB, Lone star, and having Sarah's tacos. This trip was full of memories, it was just a blast. i cant wait till we go back again!