So Simple - Its Complex

So today I was sitting in my dorm room thinking after class, (don't worry, I paid attention and was "thinking" in class too.) I thought alot about God, about life, and about college.
I've come to realize that as of today, my life is contained in a small box that measures 15 ft. by 11ft. Actually you can cut the square footage in half; that's my actual box. (My dorm room.) B/C I only "use" half of the room. However, this thought did not necessarily get me down. Our life is not measured in our stuff, how much money we have, or anything physical for that matter. No, the quality of our lives is determined by the depth of our relationships/friendships. (most importantly the one we have with our maker)
Then I shifted my thinking to how simple things can seem to be in life.... We (as Christians) all know without a doubt that: we should always strive to seek more of God in our lives, read His word, committ to prayer, worship God, have fellowship, even to share our faith in Him with others; we all know these are things we ought to do. Still, sometimes bringing our minds to make these right choices is somtiems the last thing we think about.
God wants to show us things we've never dreamed of and do things through us that we cannot even imagine! but we are too pleased with the few little things in life that so often keep us from Him. Here is a quick excerpt from a sermon by C.S. Lewis. I came across it the other night and cannot stop thinking about it:

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion as crept in from Kant and Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord find our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ingnorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.
We are far too easily pleased.

I love the end of this quotation. (in speaking about the child choosing mud pies over a vacation at the sea.) But this is exactly what we do! Everytime we brush off talking to someone about Christ for no reason other than to stay on schedule, or when we choose to just sleep on sunday mornings rather than fellowship with other believers. When we keep our bibles shut for days at a time because other things seem "more interesting", or even when we make a difficult effort to call a friend for no particular point, only to blow off the thought of calling on God to help us through the day. --- To be honest, I could easily substitute "I" in place of "WE" in all of those previous sentences.

Sorry for this quite lengthy post. I just flowed. I only wanted to share some of the thoughts I've had in the past day or so. I'm currently trying to simplify my life by matching it up with the Word and nothing else. It seems simple, but the futher I go in this crazy Christian life, the more complex (and fun) things get!

Oops!

I HAVE ALREADY FAILED ONE COLLEGE CLASS!
No, it is not my Chem class.
No, it is not my Calculus class.
No, it is definitely not my 1 hour UK 101 class.
Nope, it is not my boring English class.
No, it is not my Psychology class either.

Unfortunately the class I forgot to stay focused in was my: HC 101 class. (Hair Cutting 101 class!) The effects of failing this class are much worse than they may seem. The sad thing is, I've been enrolled in this class for a little over a year now. However, everything I've learned up to this point was all thrown out the window on wednesday evening. Here's how it happened.

It started like any other wednesday. I walked into the familiar 3760 address of HC 101. Sat on the comfortable hair cutting bar stool. With help from my supervisor (Sherry Wehrle), I placed the apron around my neck and shoulders. Next after my supervisor walked into the laundry room, then the irreplaceable "cut" happened. You see, I've always enjoyed a fresh buzz cut with the fasionable 3 or 4 guard settings on the clippers. (If necessary the summer months may call for a lower setting.) Yet, the 3 and 4 settings have always been good to me. The ease of not having to fix my hair in the morning, and the enjoyment of dry hair only seconds out of the shower are the two main reasons that keep me comming back to the 3 and 4. --Well, back to the story: I was casually going over my scalp in a perfect north-south trim technique. When I stopped to adjust the mirror is was using. I only took my eye off the clippers for a second. But a second is all it takes. I reached back to continue cutting when SZZZZZP! Oh, crap! -- I now notice the bare clippers, (the 3 guard had fallen off) and then felt the huge patch of my bald scalp on the back of my head, surrounded by nicely trimmed level 3 hair. TALK ABOUT YOUR ALL TIME BACKFIRES!!!! (Imagine if you will, a student scratchin his nails slowly, and loudly on the chalk board in school. Now take that annoying sound, and convert that sound into a feeling.- the worst feeling you've ever felt. That is what it feels like to take a significant chunk out of your hair with no guard on the clippers!) Believe me, HC 101 is not a class you want to fail. -- All is not lost though, I plan to enroll back in the course in a few short weeks. I may even go in early before next class to try and make up the portion of the test I failed.
So ya, If you see me on campus, I'll definitely be wearing a hat.

Have you ever had a "cut" moment?

Rumors

So I've only been on campus a few days. --->Here are some notable rumors and the results that followed them:

RUMOR: (claimed by many) - A huge Toga Party is going to take place in between the towers tonight on south campus.

RESULT: A hundred or so freshman are standing around between the towers. There was no food, no drinks, and no togas. = not a party.


RUMOR: (while I was in the UK bookstore) -A crazy student walked into the UK Bookstore and tried to steal books, he even knocked over displays and books to the floor in his rage. It took 4 cops to come and subdue him. (however this was not a rumor.)

Result: I walked into the bookstore. Purchased my books. Looked around. Then left. (that sorta rumor wouldn't phase me, why: I'm from "The 859".)

These are some rumors that I've been thinking about in my mind:
RUMOR: I will find my future wife here at UK. I will be walking an bump into her and knock all the books out of her hands. oops
RESULT: ?

RUMOR: UK football will make it to a bowl game.
RESULT: ? (although most would say, the chances are strong - to very strong.)

RUMOR: I'll find time to lift weights and maybe get swol.
RESULT: ? (priorities first though, right now liftin' is pretty low on my list.)

i hope you enjoyed this quick rumor post... (hopefully more to come)

in like flynn

Yup, I'm officially in my new "home" = Kirwan II, room 111.

The move in could be described as: smooth to very smooth. This is because we came an hour and a half late when the scheduled move in times were all over. (Earlier in the day I was with a group from Porter helping other freshman move in.) Surprisingly coming late turned out not so bad. There were no lines and no distractions. We just threw my stuff in the room and I told my parents that I'd take care of the rest. ("taking care of the rest" may take all semester though) We even beat the rain by 5 min. and escaped without a drop on us.

Some funny moments happened too.
- A sorority girl tried to set her purse down (she didn't know it was a trash can) as she fixed her dress. Her placement of the purse was very poor and gravity easily took control of the situation. Yup, if fell in. Still, after watching this, she tried to play if off and walked on with her friends.

-The "First Mom" as she's called, Mrs. Todd gave a speech to freshman in memorial coliseum. After rambling on about why she loves cooking, and rasing kids, she then started a very annoying phrase: "E.T. Phone Home". She gave numerous stories always making sure she included her new catch phrase E.T. Phone Home. She finally said that since we are leaving the nest of our home that we are in a sense Extra Terrestrials. = Lame.

- While in the elevator of the 23 story Blanding tower, the RA said to me and three others. "So are y'all 16?" (we had already told him plenty of times what floor we are on. Something had to be done.) To which I replied, "Nope, I'm 18, I'll be 19 in September." We then casually walked off the elevator. (I don't think the guy got it.)

also funny: - Countless pleople stacking way too much stuff on a cart barely the size of a small dog. Only to then be amazed when their TV falls off and breaks. (But the little tupperware containers that spill thousands of thumbtacks, staples, pens, and paperclips are also amusing.) People may I offer some wisdom, two words: SLOW DOWN! -- hey I'm pretty sure a college degree is not necessary for that piece of knowledge.

Yes, the move in was memorable. And it did go very smooth. I guess this is just the calm before the storm though. Right?

Have you noticed:

Sow a thought, reap an action...

Sow an action, reap a habit...

Sow a habit, reap a lifestyle...


-Randy Alcorn

GO CATS

UK Football is right around the corner. Get hype!
Go to ukathletics.com to check out the schedule. (UK v UL on Sept. 3 -- first game)
I think we have a strong to very strong chance for a bowl game, what do you think?

Livin Risky

"Sin is not something to manage, it is something to destroy."

I just finished reading the book Risk by Kenny Luck. --If you're looking for a great book to read and don't know where to start, then read Risk. Kenny does a great job at showing men how to stop living a boring life for themselves and start a risky one for Christ!
(if your reading a great book then drop a quick mention of it in the comments, or mention a significant favorite from the past.)

Knowing When to Stop

Samuel L. Jackson - take off that Kangol hat and sunglasses and use your brain homie!!!

--- Ok, before I get ahead of myself here's my point.
Samuel L. Jackson you are a great actor. You have had many great roles. Let me refresh your memory in case you forgot. You starred in
Star Wars episodes I, II, and III as the pimp Mace Windu.
Coach Carter
S.W.A.T.
Changing Lanes
Rules of Engagement
Deep Blue Sea
The Negotiator
A Time to Kill
Die Hard: With a Vengance
Goodfellas
-- even a voice in the Incredibles, also you starred in tv shows like Saturday Night Live and Law & Order.
and how could we forget the movie SHAFT.

Yet despite this spectacular resume, you know what ya did Samuel L. Jackson? You ruined your career with four little words:
Snakes On A Plane

Sam, buddy, let's get serious here. You know your movie plot is lame when AlQueda can think of a better air plane heist. (yes, I actually made that one up) And don't even think about holding up a little gun in front of your body on the movie poster to make you look tough. The title Snakes On A Plane ruines any toughness you might try to portray. Afterall, Did you just let some 8 year old walk into the set and choose the name for the film? And besides the lame title, you let the hollywood media place your once marketable name on that ugly poster right above the movie title! Come on, what would the Samuel L. Jackson of Shaft do? Or the better yet, what would Mace Windu do? I tell ya what he'd do, he would use the jedi force and forever ban Sankes On A Plane from ever hitting the big screen! I hope this isn't the end Sam. Maybe its just a joke. Haha, good one, I can tell by the smirky little grin on your face on the poster. --- I hope you are just toying with us and setting yourself up for a sweet movie in a year or two from now...
Don't let us down!

Bumpin' at "the King"

This battle was bigger than anything you've seen in the ring on pay-per-view. More dramatic than ESPN's Contender. More fierce than UFC's octagon bouts... This is the story of two men who threw it down at BK and left it all on the line.

While eating at Burger King wednesday night, Eric Walters said to Dustin, "The great thing about my car is, I have bass and you don't!" Dustin replied: "YOU HAVE A FACTORY SYSTEM ERIC. You have no bass in your car." To which Eric snapped: "BULL !"

the stage is set:

Eric Walters vs. Dustin Coleman

the refs: Dameon Shultz, Bryce Cooper, Brandon Sok, Andy Henard and Taylor Wehrle

-Eric revs up his 98' Blazer and pulls in next to Dustin.

-Dustin steps out, and chills on the side of his 91' Lumina, arms folded.

-Eric fiddles with the controls to his factory audio system.(windows up)

-Dustin is still waiting, arms folded. (trunk open)

Refs yell to Eric: "Hurry up quit messin' around."

-"Ok, I'm ready..." Eric then turns up the volume on his christian rap.

(The refs are puzzled, the "noise" from inside the Blazer is only faintly audible from outside the vehicle; without a hint of bass. We could still hear the drive through speaker on the other side of the parking lot.)

-Dustin shakes his head -smoothly utters, "It's over..." with the 1 nod from the refs; 3 nods from Dameon.

(We open the back window of the blazer. -now sound is audible- and tell Eric to cut the music b/c it is Dustin's turn.)

-With a smile, Dustin takes Eric's rap cd and gives a wink.

-You know what happens next...-

At the end of the night lives were changed, respect was gained, and batteries died... (Only one though, a ref/spectator: B Sok)

Plans were made for the evening...

Then everyone proceeded to leave the BK lot driving through the shards of broken glass littering the road near the four-way stop. (A foreshadowing of Eric's wreck a week later.)

*What can we learn from this: "Don't count your tips in public."

*Extra lesson(s) learned: Working at Sears doesn't guarantee long battery life...