As many of you know one of my goals this summer is to read 50 pages a day everyday. Although I have not exactly kept up with the goal to a T it has been great to go through my once unknown library of books and read through much of it. Right now I have about 30 books that are still unread in my library and I look to finish all of these books by the end of the year. Lofty goal, but I feel if I stay dedicated I can do it. Here are some of the books I have read since my internship began 7 weeks ago:
Love Wins - Rob Bell
Poems - Emily Dickinson
Jesus for President - Shane Claiborne
Communicating for a Change - Andy Stanley
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
A Grief Observed - C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis
The Abolition of Man - C.S. Lewis
Each of these books have given me different nuggets of knowledge and truth that I have begun to try to include in my daily life, scripture reading, and sermons on a regular basis.
I was given the privilege to purchase the Signature Classics by C.S. Lewis which includes the much heralded Mere Christianity. But as well as this Christian Masterpiece, it includes eight other books that I have been dying to jump into: Screwtape Letters (read), Grief Observed (read), Abolition of Man (read), Great Divorce (read), Problem of Pain, Weight of Glory, Miracles, and George MacDonald. All of these books give the reader a deeper insight into the thoughts of C.S. Lewis not only as a writer, but as a person. Int he book Grief Observed, Lewis tackles his feelings about his recently deceased wife. You can just feel in the words that he is unable to handle this tragedy and is uncertain how or why a God who loves him would do something like this. This truth just simply bleeds through his writings and you can truly feel the emotions he is feeling. Each of the Signature Classics have this feeling of emotion and power to them unlike any other writer I have come across.
That being said, I have committed to reading all nine of his Classics in hopes that after reading them I will have gained a new insight into the God that he and I both serve.
If you may hear anything in this post hear this, Lewis' writings will give you a new and profound look at the God you serve and will open your eyes to an entirely new being you otherwise did not know existed. His passion, emotion, and dedication for the living God is unparalleled and these same feelings will surely be a product of your reading these Classics.
Till Another Day,
Alec
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Pain ...
So there I was excited about the final softball game of the year and it hits me, running to first base, over stepping the bag and falling slamming my head, back, and left arm on the ground. Thinking i was okay just lying there for awhile, realized the rest of the night that my arm was hurt pretty bad. Playing through the rest of the game, the pain intensified. Got home and I realized that it is worse. My beautiful fiance and I went to the St. Francis Hospital in Southport, IN. After a couple hours of testing, x-rays, and waiting we received the verdict that it was no fractures, but severe bruising and swelling of the tissue in my elbow. After a day of rest and pain, I realized that the pain is still pretty bad.
So what this means is nothing, but what I have realized is the unconditional love that comes from it. My fiance Jenny spent the night at the hospital with me as well as got me donuts from Long's Bakery this morning, iced my elbow, and watched golf with me as I was still in pain. Now this is not just about someone doing nice things for me, but the unconditional love that comes from this. Jenny loves me so much that she would not have thought any different about it. He first instinct was to help me and it was so because she loves me.
This love she has for me is not just for the feelings that may come from it, but her love for me is about sacrifice and action. In order for me to really understand her love I have to see it through her actions. And she proves it to me everyday that she is truly in love with me. My fiance is the most wonderful and sacrificial human being in the world.
This love makes the waiting 7 months to get married harder than ever. Everyday I get more and more excited to be with her. She is the one and I am awaiting the moment I can show her my unconditional love for her someday. I am waiting...
Till another Day
normallyINDIE
So what this means is nothing, but what I have realized is the unconditional love that comes from it. My fiance Jenny spent the night at the hospital with me as well as got me donuts from Long's Bakery this morning, iced my elbow, and watched golf with me as I was still in pain. Now this is not just about someone doing nice things for me, but the unconditional love that comes from this. Jenny loves me so much that she would not have thought any different about it. He first instinct was to help me and it was so because she loves me.
This love she has for me is not just for the feelings that may come from it, but her love for me is about sacrifice and action. In order for me to really understand her love I have to see it through her actions. And she proves it to me everyday that she is truly in love with me. My fiance is the most wonderful and sacrificial human being in the world.
This love makes the waiting 7 months to get married harder than ever. Everyday I get more and more excited to be with her. She is the one and I am awaiting the moment I can show her my unconditional love for her someday. I am waiting...
Till another Day
normallyINDIE
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Networking & Things of other Nature
Jenny and I had the opportunity to take the week and head to the North American Christian Convention on Tuesday - Thursday of last week. Those of you who don't know what this is, it is a Christian Convention of churches, mission organizations, bible colleges, publishing companies and everything in between. For most this convention is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, pray, and learn alongside those who are also involved in the ministry. For me all of this took place, but in a another way "networking" was at the center of the convention for me.
Normally this is not something that I enjoy doing, I tend to spend much of my time listening and learning rather than trying to make contacts with people. But this year was different, for I am searching for a job in the future and I am truly seeking to make some contacts in the Christian Church realm. With this being said, I spent much of Tuesday walking around the convention center, seeking out opportunities to mingle and meet people of influence in the fields I am seeking to move into in the future.
One such group I was able to speak with just by chance was One Mission Society of Greenwood, IN. Much of the conversation with Garrath who works at OMS I had no idea that they were stationed in Greenwood, IN. But when I found that this group was located in Greenwood, it peaked my interest. My fiance and I have set a meeting with this group in order to speak about any job opportunities they may have available in the future. A group opportunity for me to seek out employment with a God centered group.
But what I find most interesting about this whole situation and my continued job search as a whole is the role that God is playing in the whole situation. As I was walking around the entire convention, the one booth I happened to stop at was a society that is within 5 miles of were I currently work and is also seeking out employment of someone like me. I do not think it was a coincidence that I happened to stop at this booth, but it was God who was leading me to the place I was called to go. God continues to do so throughout the process of choosing a job as well. I have continued to ask for trust in God and he is giving me opportunities to do so and I truly believe that God will continue to provide for me and my fiance.
When it comes to "networking" I am not necessarily a fan, but when it comes to "networking" God has become the center of my contacts and trusting in him is at the center of all that I am.
For another day,
Alec
Normally this is not something that I enjoy doing, I tend to spend much of my time listening and learning rather than trying to make contacts with people. But this year was different, for I am searching for a job in the future and I am truly seeking to make some contacts in the Christian Church realm. With this being said, I spent much of Tuesday walking around the convention center, seeking out opportunities to mingle and meet people of influence in the fields I am seeking to move into in the future.
One such group I was able to speak with just by chance was One Mission Society of Greenwood, IN. Much of the conversation with Garrath who works at OMS I had no idea that they were stationed in Greenwood, IN. But when I found that this group was located in Greenwood, it peaked my interest. My fiance and I have set a meeting with this group in order to speak about any job opportunities they may have available in the future. A group opportunity for me to seek out employment with a God centered group.
But what I find most interesting about this whole situation and my continued job search as a whole is the role that God is playing in the whole situation. As I was walking around the entire convention, the one booth I happened to stop at was a society that is within 5 miles of were I currently work and is also seeking out employment of someone like me. I do not think it was a coincidence that I happened to stop at this booth, but it was God who was leading me to the place I was called to go. God continues to do so throughout the process of choosing a job as well. I have continued to ask for trust in God and he is giving me opportunities to do so and I truly believe that God will continue to provide for me and my fiance.
When it comes to "networking" I am not necessarily a fan, but when it comes to "networking" God has become the center of my contacts and trusting in him is at the center of all that I am.
For another day,
Alec
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Turquoise Feathers
As many of you know I am engaged to the beautiful Jennifer Schroeder, but what many of you may not know is that she is the designer behind much of my material including www.normallyINDIE.com, www.about.me/alectod, as well as all of my photography. When she is not helping me make my stuff look great, she is busy running her very own free lance business called Turquoise Feathers. She does everything from handmade vintage knick knacks to photography, web design, print design, logo design, drawing, and painting. She is an amazing artist and truly has a passion for what she does. Here are a couple Screenshots of here self designed www.turquoisefeathers.com and turquoisefeathers.blogspot.com
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| turquoisefeathers.blogspot.com |
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| www.turquoisefeathers.com |
This is just a sneak peek into what my talented fiance can do. I hope you enjoy looking through her wonderful blog and website and make sure an follow her soon. Also if you need anything done print, photo, or web she is your girl. Email her with the link below jennifer@turquoisefeathers.com
Till another Day
Alec
twitter: normallyINDIE
Monday, June 27, 2011
My Personal Whirlwind...
Man, what is going on in my life.
As many of you know I am currently the Student Ministries Intern at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, engaged to a wonderful fiance Jenny Schroeder , and am currently on a quest to Blog Weekly (this one is a little late), read the One Year Bible daily, journal daily, and read 50 pages daily. Although this may seem like a lot, it is these spiritual disciplines that have kept my mind, body, and spirit centralized on God. In all the chaos that is the summer and all the chaos that goes into an internship, planning a wedding, and just daily life in general I know that these four things will stay central to who I am and the spiritual growth that takes place.
What has been the fruits of these spiritual disciplines as they have played out over the past month and a half. I have found a revived sense of strength in knowing that my creator God is central to my life. I have built a renewed trust and hope in him both in my personal decisions as well as our decisions as soon to be newlyweds. I have come around this idea that intentional habits, lead to intentional spiritual growth, thus intentional growth leading to intentional life change, this intentional life change leading to a deepening influence. All of which are imperative to the saving of the lives of the people I am around on a daily basis.
Although my life this past month has been a true whirlwind of emotions, feelings, life change, and chaos, I have found one thing to reign true throughout and that is the fact that "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." These are the words of Jesus to his disciples in Acts 1 after he revealed to them the fact that they are the ones being called to make disciples across all the world. This overwhelming task would have undoubtedly lead to a wave of emotions and doubt if it were not for this phrase "YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER". Jesus assures us, just as he assured his disciples, that we will receive power if we choose to trust in him with our whole lives.
In the midst of the chaos, I continue to choose Christ on a daily basis and in return I receive power from the Holy Spirit.
I challenge you with the same, you will not be left in weakness.
Till Another Day
normallyINDIE
Acts 1:8
As many of you know I am currently the Student Ministries Intern at Emmanuel Church of Greenwood, engaged to a wonderful fiance Jenny Schroeder , and am currently on a quest to Blog Weekly (this one is a little late), read the One Year Bible daily, journal daily, and read 50 pages daily. Although this may seem like a lot, it is these spiritual disciplines that have kept my mind, body, and spirit centralized on God. In all the chaos that is the summer and all the chaos that goes into an internship, planning a wedding, and just daily life in general I know that these four things will stay central to who I am and the spiritual growth that takes place.
What has been the fruits of these spiritual disciplines as they have played out over the past month and a half. I have found a revived sense of strength in knowing that my creator God is central to my life. I have built a renewed trust and hope in him both in my personal decisions as well as our decisions as soon to be newlyweds. I have come around this idea that intentional habits, lead to intentional spiritual growth, thus intentional growth leading to intentional life change, this intentional life change leading to a deepening influence. All of which are imperative to the saving of the lives of the people I am around on a daily basis.
Although my life this past month has been a true whirlwind of emotions, feelings, life change, and chaos, I have found one thing to reign true throughout and that is the fact that "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." These are the words of Jesus to his disciples in Acts 1 after he revealed to them the fact that they are the ones being called to make disciples across all the world. This overwhelming task would have undoubtedly lead to a wave of emotions and doubt if it were not for this phrase "YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER". Jesus assures us, just as he assured his disciples, that we will receive power if we choose to trust in him with our whole lives.
In the midst of the chaos, I continue to choose Christ on a daily basis and in return I receive power from the Holy Spirit.
I challenge you with the same, you will not be left in weakness.
Till Another Day
normallyINDIE
Acts 1:8
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Decisions?
As many of you know, I am engaged to the most amazing girl in the world, Jenny Schroeder (www.turquoisefeathers.com) and with this comes a lot of new things. Specifically we have a lot of decisions to make. These decisions range from where we want to go on a date to where do we wanna live. We are visiting a few apartment complexes this coming week and I am currently in the process of applying for church positions for my looming graduation date coming December 2011.
All of these decisions are things that Jenny and I were not ready for, but we are facing them head on. With the decisions that this high of a level, they can easily become overwhelming. But like most people who call themselves followers of God, we say we trust in God to provide. I too find myself saying this, but after saying this I still find myself trying to make a certain outcome happen. For it is easy to trust God when things just keep coming, but when you are in my situation, trusting God is something of its' own. I have found that in order to truly trust God with everything, I must not worry about what is to come. I am looking for a job, but I must trust that God will provide me with exactly what I need. We are looking for a place to live and I must trust God that he will provide a neighborhood for us. Trusting God with the unknown is something I am learning and trusting that God will truly work for the good of those who love him.
If we as believers truly do trust in God that means not worrying about how God is going to work, but just trusting that he will.
God works for the good of those who love him, therefore we must truly trust that he will do so.
All of these decisions are things that Jenny and I were not ready for, but we are facing them head on. With the decisions that this high of a level, they can easily become overwhelming. But like most people who call themselves followers of God, we say we trust in God to provide. I too find myself saying this, but after saying this I still find myself trying to make a certain outcome happen. For it is easy to trust God when things just keep coming, but when you are in my situation, trusting God is something of its' own. I have found that in order to truly trust God with everything, I must not worry about what is to come. I am looking for a job, but I must trust that God will provide me with exactly what I need. We are looking for a place to live and I must trust God that he will provide a neighborhood for us. Trusting God with the unknown is something I am learning and trusting that God will truly work for the good of those who love him.
If we as believers truly do trust in God that means not worrying about how God is going to work, but just trusting that he will.
God works for the good of those who love him, therefore we must truly trust that he will do so.
Monday, June 13, 2011
True Hipster Inside Me
So I recently signed on a cell phone contract with my fiance thus getting the iPhone 4 in February. After downloading countless Apps my fiance turned me onto Instragram. A photography App that makes people like me who can't take pictures, take pictures that actually look Hipster. Here are a couple of pictures that I was able to take over the past couple months. Enjoy!!
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| The Bloc Kids |
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| CCU Library |
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| Bloc Kids #2 |
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| Sermonizing |
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| True Patriotism |
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| Our Wedding Venue |
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| INDIEana HandiCraft Exchange: SWAG Bag |
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| "Put the Hoop Up" |
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| Shaggie "Our Labradoodle" |
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| Great Read |
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| An Amazing LP |
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| Artwork from Jesus for President |
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| Gas Prices are Killer |
My attempt at super easy point and shoot photography. Hopefully my very talented fiance can teach me a thing or two.
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