fight the cold!

The snow has fallen. It's about time to curl up next to a fire with some hot chocolate, but not just yet. I still have a week of exams to pull through.

After these exams are done, I know I will appreciate the calmness of the snowy north. Bring it on, weather! Give your worst, cause I'll attack it with a blanket, a good movie, and a hot drink to keep me warm.

Winter isn't as bad as people say if you have to right tools.

I'm pushing through to fight the cold, and, man, it will be an enjoyable fight for sure.

joy. fun. food. hugs. smiles.

Ahh... The semester is winding down. It's almost that time of year with joy, family fun, and food. Oh, the food.

But let us not forget what this season is about.
Celebrate the people in your life.
Celebrate your blessings, what you have that others may not.
Celebrate your life and the perfect life that gave itself that we might live.

Yes, eat, drink, and be merry, but also meditate on the somberness of what Christmas means.

We don't give gifts just because we can. Each gift symbolizes the gift of eternal life that we have been given through the birth and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you receive and give your gifts this holiday season, look at it as more of God giving to you His gift, receive it with your heart this season, and also don't forget to be thankful. Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's so easy to forget to be thankful. Thank people around you for the gifts they've given you this past year, not just physical, material gifts.

Give hugs this season!

friends.

It's always nice to know that someone's there, willing to take care of you or be there for you. I got my teeth taken out today, not the most pleasant experience, and one of my best friends came to take care of me and just be with me, and I know my other friends would do that in a heart beat if they didn't live so far away. I can't even express what that means. Typically, I'm the one who takes care of people, the one behind the scenes who tries to make everything happen. It was so nice for someone else to take that job for once. I'm just so thankful to know that I have someone to turn to when I don't feel well at all, or someone who just wants to spend some time with me. I can never give any of my friends enough, I love giving, but it's nice to know that that's not the reason they are my friends.

Friendships have been a huge blessing in my life and I can't imagine where I would be with my awesome, encouraging, honest, straightforward, loving friends. Honestly, they have no reason to love me, but they do, and I'm so thankful for that.

Friends are more than people to hang out with that's really fun to do, but true friend have a lasting impact on your life and you know that your life would not be the same without them. I want my friends to know that my life would not be the same without them.

I love you guys so much! Thank you for everything.

November's End

Happy end of November. I hope you all had a good month, I know it was good for me.

This month has been a roller coaster ride. Emotional ups and downs, but I can say that I'm so happy for the festive season of December. Christmas lights have started to come up and so has family. This is the best time of the year, not because of the food, even though that's great, but for the fellowship with friends and family. 'Tis the season!

A time of peace on earth and goodwill towards men. Merry Christmas

Thankfulness

We all know to be thankful on thanksgiving. We all say a prayer thanking God for who He has put in our lives, for the food on the table, and for all the stuff we have.

But then why must we be thankful?

Thankfulness is a blessing, and if you think about it, it makes life a bit easier. I doubt anyone in the world can say that they feel better when they take for granted what they have. Thankfulness makes life so much more enjoyable.

But what does it mean to be truly thankful?

Thankfulness is from the heart, when you just think and feel "Man, I am really blessed..." Looking at my life, I have no reason to be sad. I have a fancy iMac, the ability to worship freely, warm home, plenty of food... I could spend days writing out all I have.

Take this day and be thankful, truly thankful for what you have - whether it's a spouse or the fact that you own more than one pair of socks. In a capitalist society, like in America, it's so easy to forgive how blessed we really are.

Now, go out and tell someone what you're thankful for. Start a chain of thankfulness, and it doesn't have to be done on Thanksgiving. Be thankful tomorrow, be thankful next week, be thankful next month, be thankful everyday and you'll notice that life will be so much more of a blessing to you rather than living in jealousy of what others have or of what you could have.

With that, I say to enjoy your life and enjoy your day.

happyness

Even though it's so cold out side and the sky is grey, I can't help but feel a joyful air around. Listening to Foster the People only makes me so much happier. Wherever you are, put on a joyful song and dance! Today's a good day and it can only get better... It's all in the mindset!

Be happy!

it has begun.

Winter has officially begun. Snow is falling, hard and life is being made miserable on college campus. Walking from building to building is very hard. The snow falling from all angles, penetrating my soul. This is my second year living in the tundra of northeast Wisconsin. Before that I lived in South Carolina, huge difference. Even though this snow fall means that I'll be living in cold and ice for several months, there still is this childlike joy that comes with the soft flakes falling from the sky softly.

This time last year, there was a similar snowstorm. I still remember the joy I had felt watching the air turn white from the snowflakes falling. It was the most snow I had ever seen in my life. The native cheeseheads, or Wisconsin-ites,  however, laughed at my excitement and joy, knowing that this excitement would eventually turn into distaste.

Maybe it's the southerner in me, but I will always be excited for snow to fall. What this snows means is that when I get home from my classes I can make a hot drink, curl up under a big blanket, and enjoy the day given me and the protection that I have from the cold winds. Winter is the hardest season to bear, but the best season to observe.

and his hand is stretched out still.

Throughout the book of Isaiah, God is continually pronouncing judgment on a fallen Israel. Israel has rejected, despised, and completely turned away from the God who has saved them from the worst of the worst. From a human's point of view, by now, I would've given up on Israel... I guess that's a good thing I'm not God. Instead of abandoning them, like any sinful, fallen human would, God continually pursue them. Throughout Isaiah you see the phrase "and his hand is stretched out still."

One of my favorite things God does is when he takes the covenant with Israel that He knows Israel cannot keep. He walks through the blood of the animals by Himself saying that He will not break His covenant to be with us, to support us, and to protect us.

With all this said, when Israel (or you very well could substitute Israel with your name) turns away from God, "His hand is stretched out still" to bring us back to Him.

I'm glad I serve Him over anything else.

Emmanuel.

Today I saw God smile on His worshippers in my college chapel. This entire year I kept my mind closed to God's presence here at Northland, but of course, God showed me that I was shutting Him out, not the people here. Even though fundamentalists are more rational than passionate, they still have a desire and love to glorify God in all they do, that's more than I can say for myself.

In a nutshell, I've been the problem of seeing God's presence. I thank Him for opening the eyes of my heart and revealing His presence. He really is everywhere and that is such a comfort to know.

Jeremiah 1:7-8
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth';for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the LORD."

Psalm 119:88

"In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth."

When you feel overwhelmed, think on these words. God gives life through His love. Turn to Him and you can feel life again. Some words that have been on my mind during my first year in college.

Inferior Superiority

It's interesting that people often claim that everyone in this world is equal. We've all acknowledged this and we've all been where I'm going. Sitting in philosophy class, we had to create an atheistic moral system, but with our Christian suppositions this was very difficult. As humans, we are all evil, but in this class it came to my attention that some of the group viewed atheists as the lowest of the low. Yes, they don't have God and that puts them in a bad position in life and eternity, but aren't they sinners just like Christians? The only difference really is that we've realized what God has done for us, and maybe atheists just need some help to get to where we are. Weren't we as Christians at that point in some point in our lives?

One of my group members mentioned to me that "I have soft spot for atheists" and I'm proud to say I do. They are also God's creation and deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt, not just assumed that they are going to run amuck in the world and commit genocide. God has given them just as much of a conscience as He has given Christians, so why can't they eventually see where it came from?

Just something to think about...

Silence

I quite literally have nothing to say at this point. My life is dull, so I have no cute anecdotes and my philosophy has run dry due to philosophy class. In this post, I guess, I will just leave it at that. Sometimes there just are no words to say. Silence can be the best form of communication.

The Goose Is Getting Fat

Winter is coming. The leaves are starting to change, and there's that cold air smell in the air. Being a warm weather person, this is not exciting in the slightest, but instead of thinking about the cons of winter, I'm going to focus on the good things, maybe it will help me get through the cold season. Pros of winter? Glistening snow, pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, apple cider, wassail, snuggling up to a warm fire, Christmas, family time, snowball fights, there was a point in my life where I could say "getting out of school because of snow", marshmallows, ginger cookies, it's funny that most of these are foods for me. I do love the winter holidays, and I know this year will be good. Hopefully there will be dancing in the south and a huge family Christmas party like we used to have. Just a few things to get you excited about the winter season. Warm thoughts always help with the cold air.

Wishing you a happy fall/winter.

Change. Love. Pursue. Serve.

Oh, yes. The school year has finally begun, all the racing around campus trying to get everything done and be everywhere on time. Despite all the hustle and bustle of freshman college life, college can be very much relaxing. Despite all the assignments and constantly checking for missing assignments, I don't mind all the work. Perhaps it's because it makes me feel smart and knowledgable, or maybe it's because it's a change of pace. Despite the horror stories about the busyness, lack of sleep, and headaches college is supposed to provide, I'm excited about this upcoming year. I'm exciting for all the papers I will have to write, especially the paper for philosophy. I'm probably the only one in the world who is excited about that one. I'm excited learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. I'm excited about the friends I'll make. I'm excited to know where my future will lead. And last but not least, I'm excited to make my own decisions. Make my own decisions about the classes I want to take or the major that I will pursue. Being a freshman gives so much freedom in deciding a major. I might change my major more than a few times, but that all doesn't matter, because how many times I change my major doesn't mean that I'm not ready for the real world, it just means that I'm that much closer to being in the real world and attacking it head on. For all you college students out there who feel discouraged or overwhelmed, it's okay! You will survive this first year and you'll know more about yourself than you did on the first day of school.

My dad has always encouraged me to pursue what I love, whether it will bring me worldly success or not. He has always told me that I shouldn't go to work because I have to but because I want to, because what I do is what I love, because what I do is more than a job. I don't just want to work to make ends meet. I want to work to make a difference as well. Being in college excites me because I know I'm getting closer to that point in which I will love what I do and what I do will impact more than myself financially. I encourage you to pursue what you love. God gave you desires and passions not to reject them, but to pursue them for His glory. Whatever you want to do, whether it be art, dancing, computer technician, teacher, musician, missionary, etc., can be used to glorify Him. Don't fall into the misconception that you can only glorify if you're a full-time missionary in a third-world country, yes we need people like that, but not all of us are called to serve that way. God wants you to serve Him in what you love.

Just a few thoughts at the beginning of the school year.

Comfortable Claustrophobia

Dusk is one of the best times of the day. The colors are soft and warm - not to mention the beautiful orange glow of light. Flying and sunrise or sunset is one of the prettiest experiences ever, especially this particular flight from Detroit to Green Bay. The earth was a pale grey blue because of both the distance above the earth and from the weak light of the sun. Even though orange and blue have nothing in common, a vibrant, pale pink brought the colors to just come together naturally in the most pleasing way. The plane was shrouded by a thick layer of clouds above and a thinner layer below to the point in which the details of the surface are barely seen; these layers created the perfect feeling of comfortable claustrophobia. What made this sunset even more spectacular, more intriguing, more intense was a darker grey off in the distance. In this dark grey hidden underneath the bright colors of orange and pink, lightening strikes could be seen with perfect detail. The image was poetic, marvelous, awe-inspiring; it was creation bringing absolute glory to the Creator. With such color, such mood, such expression, how could there not be an artist who created this world.

What should I post about?

I keep wondering what I should post about, thinking way too hard about what everyone - or no one, depending on whether anyone actually reads this blog - will want to hear. Honestly, I don't really know what you want to hear, so there's no point in trying to fulfill the unknown. So here goes a completely random post about whatever I feel like needs to be said or want to say to the internet. Now the problem is figuring out what I want to say.

Culture today is rather humorous, I must say. While at a restaurant the other day, my friends and I counted how many people were using a phone while they waited for their food (we were eating at Chipotle, the top ranked Mexican fast food restaurant in the country. If you've been there you know how it works). There were probably about 10 people in line, but we counted about 5 or 6 people on their phones, not to mention the one kid playing probably Angry Birds or Worms or some game on his iPod. It's interesting to see people at a restaurant together who aren't even talking. They're on their phones. I mean, who needs a company anyways when you can just carry people around with you in your pocket.

I think everyone is guilty of this mindset nowadays. I'm guilty of this mindset as well. As I sit here blogging this post, I am with my cousin who is talking to some person on Facebook. We may have to leave early in the morning, but for some reason getting off our computers is too difficult of a task for us. Every time we say we're about to get off, something new happens or we remember to talk to someone or some gets online. It's very inconvenient. Maybe someday society will be free of the ease of communication. The internet has been a wonderful invention and maybe society loves it a little too much.

Overall, I think this blog post is very ironic, but I will post it anyways.

the purpose

I never really saw myself as a blogger in the past. It used to seem so pointless, but in a way blogging can convey ideas that could be shared in no other way. I have created this blog, "common credo," as an experiment to see how blogging will take to me, and also to practice some writing skills. What I write about may not interest everyone, but I continue in the hopes that at least one person out there will enjoy or find these words interesting. I have no credibility so I will not take offense if you do not agree. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on some things. Something I would like to do through this blog is to touch on the common "credo," or statement of beliefs, that cultures share or differ in. Culture and philosophy has always intrigued me and I hope to get comments and hopefully questions from any of you. Feel free to disregard my answers, because they may not be of use.