Dismantle. Repair.

Tonight, my room was discussing Colossians 3 for our room meeting (we're going through colossians). We took away something pretty cool from it.

Colossians 3:5 says to put to death immorality, impurity, lust... greed. As my room discussed what this practically looks like, we noticed that a lot of these things slowly fall away without hard work. I have never sat down and really thought, "How can I be less greedy today?", but today I am much less greedy than before I followed Christ. So, we decided that this was proof that God works to restore us everyday, and sometimes we don't even notice!

In verse 8, some more habits are mentioned such as anger, slander, etc. Again, we all agreed that some of these things fall away themselves. One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 5:10 - It basically confirms that God will restore us- "perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish". I love this reminder because it inspires hope. Day by day, God is working on us, breaking down, even "putting to death" our faults, and He is building up new habits, thoughts and ways in all of us.

Reminds me of a great song by Anberlin

"Save me from myself
Save me from myself
Help me
Save me from myself
Save me from myself
Oh, woah
Things are gonna change now
For the better
And woah, oh
Things are gonna change

Hands like secrets are the hardest thing to keep from you
Lines and phrases like knives
Your words can cut me through
Dismantle me down Repair
You've dismantled me
You've dismantled me"
~Dismantle. Repair.

On a completely different note, I have to tell you about postsecret.com. Basically, people send in their secrets on postcards to this guy, and he posts them on the web. Some are big, some are almost pointless, some are sad and others are hilarious. It's a way to find release, I guess, but I like to read them just to know that people deal with the same things I do. I found this one that I could have made myself:

But, a word of caution before you get too excited - most cards are very real and shocking, so be prepared for anything.

Have a wonderful wednesday,
B ryce

This post isn't a cop-out or a filler, there was a lot of thought put into it; it's a great reminder, or even better, a great thing to never forget.

Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy;
without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14

Sidewalks in the Snow

Life is like walking on sidewalks in the snow.
The only way to see if you're still on the sidewalk is to look back and study your footprints.

Necessary Nonsensicality.

I needed a lighter post.

I did no work on Saturday.

I did a ton today.


The MoMiner made me risk the weather to snap some pictures of Lions Club Park.


This one's for me. (and, I guess for you too now)

Also, I guess I'm crazy, but I cut my finger today, and I really wanted a picture of it. So, here's two.



AND



It's ok. You can think it. I like to be different.

-bryce


How long should it take somebody
Before they can be someone?

Cause I know there's got to be another level,
Somewhere closer to the other side
And, I'm feeling like it's now or never
Can I break the spell of the typical?
~Mutemath (Typical)

5-4-07

I found some really inspiring words from...myself. I wrote all last spring semester and had forgotten about what had happened and what was going on until I read some old notebook. I found this entry encouraging (who would think you could encourage yourself?).

It's dated 5-4-07

"I can feel a change coming. A sobering change. I think I'm going to grow up. Yeah, that sounds cheesy, but it's time.

I want to live for God? Well, it's time to get serious, cling to His promises, and start doing it. It's time to start communicating with people for real.

I want to be a doctor? It's time to study. Time to memorize. Time to get serious.

It's time to be there for people, help them through this life. It's time to be honest, time to think about the effects of my decisions. "A life with meaning can't exist with a life with happiness". I think God has made it possible. I need to start showing some joy. Start smiling more. Stop complaining. Be there.

I need to "embrace life". I have to stop thinking about what people think of me. I have to start thinking about what God thinks of me.

It's time to do things- not because I want to, but because I'm called to, or must do for others. It's time to let the video games go. Time to let lust go. Time to stop making excuses, and be the guy. It's time for action.

-Bryce

PS
I think, although people won't admit it, people look on Christians and judge our standards. Now, why do they care if we mess up? If there is no God, then what we do should not matter to them. But, it does. When they need someone, they see God in us and trust. I think."

Did I grow up?

"For your salvation I wait, Oh Lord." Genesis 49:18

Honest Thinkings part II

I can hear my Physical Chemistry lab report screaming for completion, but there's a few thoughts a'brewing that must come out somewhere.

So, here's Honest Thinkings part II

1. God wants us to fall more in love with Him every day. I was reminded of this tonight as I walked to UC East. Above me, the stars where shining, as they do, but below, on the layers of ice, another display was beginning. The streetlights made heavens below my feet as the light reflected off tiny pieces of ice, blinking in new patterns with every step. God wants to dazzle us everyday. And he often does.

2. After every discussion about righteousness or false teaching or most anything to do with Christianity, I realize that what I do always comes down to why I do it. If the motivations are wrong, the action is wrong, no matter how 'righteous' the action makes me.

But, when I glance over my motivations, and I honestly ask myself why I do things, I don't like what I see. Do I go to church to visit with God, or because I 'have to' (what would people think of me if I never went to church?). Do I help people so my Christian friends will think I'm a super-cool follower of God, or am I trying to display God's love to a neighbor? Why do I want to be a doctor? Why do I exercise?

"Do not do your acts of righteousness before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will receive no reward from your Father in heaven."

3. Our room has been going through the Sermon on the Mount. As we finished today, I thought about how simply not sinning is not Jesus' whole plan for us. It's step 1. Step 2 is realizing we have a body and a mind to show others around us our God (through various means).

It's so easy to sit in the CCH and not sin. It's easy to be dazzled by God in the joy we find. And, it's easy to leave things at that. But I think Jesus calls me to more than this. He calls us to do good. In the study we just finished, he gives numerous examples of how to help people and why we should. I'm living as a passive Christian. There' so much more.

4. I want to memorize Dallas Willard's conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount:

"As a disciple of Jesus I am with him, by choice and by grace, learning from him how to live in the kingdom of God: how to live within the range of God's effective will, his life flowing through mine. I am learning to live my life as He would live my life if He were I. I am not necessarily learning to do everything He did, but I am learning how to do everything I do in the manner that He did all that He did.
As his apprentices, we pass through a course of training, from having faith in Christ to having the faith of Christ. As a proclaimer and teacher of the gospel of his kingdom, I do not cease to announce a gospel about Jesus. That remains forever foundational. But, I also recognize the need and opportunity to announce the gospel of Jesus - the gospel of the present availability to every human being of a life in The Kingdom Among Us."

-Bryce

Honest Thinkings.

No, you read the time correctly. It's late. I couldn't sleep. I tried, but I ended up getting some apple juice and taking a shower. I'm going to take some sunrise pictures with some friends at 6, so why sleep?

Now, you get to hear my thoughts (beware, they don't have much conclusion... they just are)

(1)I've been worrying about something semi-random. When I leave Rolla, will I have anyone to keep in touch with? And, I mean really keep in touch with, someone I could visit or call when I can't sleep? There's not very many people from high school I still talk to. I hope it's different when I leave here.

It's gonna be weird to be in my "final year" of college next year (except for med. school). All the awesome people I met when I came here will be gone. I guess it'll be up to me to be the new awesome guy. I guess I'll have to be mature or something... And, Mark will only be here half a year. Heck, he'll be married this time next year... crazy.

But, I've been worried. I've tried to come out of the CCH shell of internet, movies and video games to connect with people, but it seems like that's where everyone else is. It's like I came out of my cave to find everyone having a party in another. It's lonely.

(2) Can I quit it all and be a photographer? It would be so much easier.

Funny story. A few days ago, I got an email from a lady who goes to Vineyard. She was asking me if I wanted to take pictures for her wedding! ME! I felt I was completely unprepared for such a thing. But, then I was thinking... gotta start somewhere. I would have done it. Unfortunately, her wedding is on the day I take the MCAT! Med school's already getting in the way of my fun...

(3) *Deep stuff ahead*
SERVICE
So, I've had a few service opportunities in the past week, and I've definitely found some encouragement. Tuesday, our gel group handed out refreshments to random people at the Multi. It was awkward for a while. I hoped people wouldn't ask us why we were handing stuff out. I didn't want to explain to them how Jesus served and told us to look out for each other. What if they laugh, even on the inside?

But, after a few encounters, it was kind of fun. People responded positively. Apparently, it just takes a little confidence to get people comfortable.

Then, today I was helping with the blood drive, and they asked me to hand out fliers. Yuck, I hate it when people throw those things at me... Anyways, I learned a valuable lesson, so get your pens ready.

See, I thought approaching people was only weird bc I did it in Christian service projects, where God was involved. Trust me, the feeling is universal. But, if people reject you, they aren't really rejecting you, they're rejecting what you represent.

I'm sure there's a verse like that in the Bible, but I surely understood this today. After this realization, it was kind of fun to approach people with the fliers. They were more uncomfortable than I was! And, they came up with the lamest excuses. Once I saw that they really just didn't want to give blood, I wasn't afraid to talk to people and try to convince them otherwise. So, take heart and have confidence when speaking to people about God. They may reject Him and His grace, but not you or your faults.

(Now, I was thinking about this today too- they are rejecting you IF you really believe in the message. I feel rejected when people reject God only because they are disagreeing with a large part of my belief system.)

(4) I know I had another point... Oh yes... WHY CAN'T WE EVER BE COMPLETELY HONEST?
I get tired of faking happiness. The next time someone asks, "How's it going?" I may just answer them honestly. "I'm pretty stressed about this or that." or "Man, this situation is kind of depressing" etc.

I don't like to be honest with people because being totally real brings me closer to people. Then, they may want my time or help or money or something. That sneaky word... commitment! *Gasp*

It bothers me in other ways too, not only in conversation. You've heard the advice - "smiling is contagious, it makes you and others happy" Well, there may be some truth to that, but why fake a smile if you're having a crappy day? Or laugh at a joke you don't get. I do it just to fit in. Stupid Pride...

Well, it's 4:30. I'm gonna go read or think or write or who knows what for a few hours. I hope you enjoyed my unfiltered thoughts (the filter turns off around midnight). I hope I don't regret this later... no, I won't. These are my honest thinkings.

b ryce

PS I had a dream today that I bought a MacBook. Best dream ever.