Lundsten

I had the privilege to see pastor Rob Bell when he was on his "Drops Like Stars" tour just over a year ago, even got a picture with him and some friends. I find it disappointing how people drift away (spotlight on myself), but Rob had a good point when he said

"the thing about grief and disappointment is that it brings people together,"

Lance was a wonderful individual, who similar to others that we truly mourn, his time came too soon. Leaving a lapse of a life that we blinked and were behind wondering where that wonderful life was, and why it ceases to stand before us. Personally I had the privilege to photograph him while playing piano for Jefferson Idol. He even read this blog and requested our thoughts on homosexuality and how things work with Him (being Jesus).

Although I cannot find enough words to describe him, he had a way with the keys and with people. As far as homosexuality goes with God and things. Matt Chandler said it best when he said

"Changed hearts lead to changed lives."

I think anyone struggling with any sin should hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If I were to throw that in a very very "message" like nutshell it would be "we've all sinned, God sent His only Son so that all that sin didn't matter and we can live free lives in Christ" (it's very condensed, theology critics have at it).

If I have a hope, it's that Lance's story will continue to be told, that it will continue to take hold in our hearts and minds.

Blessings

Connor

100th post

Wow. We've got 100 posts. I just saw that as I started to write this. Impressive.

I won't lie, it has been rocky at times through this but I hope we still have some of you here on this blog. We love you all through it all.

A couple things that I would like to write. Some may call it a compound entry.

While I was in the Nerf gun aisle at Target last night, two kids came up next to me looking at something totally different. They were probably 6 and 7 or somewhere close to that. The younger one said to the older one, "Anthony! Look! Look!" The older kid replied, "Why would I care about that?" "Because it's cool!" The younger one replied. I can only assume they were brothers and hearing that kinda tugged at my heart because the older bro was so harsh to his little brother that looked up to him. So I want to apologize to my bro because I know I was like that growing up. You're the man. Sorry bro.

2nd on the agenda, I'm totally psyched for Tenth Avenue North to come to Northwestern on September 3rd. That's going to be amazing.

Finally, I want to thank everybody that is praying for me while I'm at college, I've really started to feel them and I've really appreciated thinking about you while here in my dorm room. It's normally before I go to bed that those thoughts seep into my mind. So, thank you so much.

Love,
-sam

College Life

Phew! College. I love it.

Dorm life is a blast. Last night there was a 30-player game of Apples to Apples, a group of guys playing tackle football in a 10 foot by 20 foot area, and two crazy guys climbing up to the second floor balcony. It may sound chaotic, but it was all good. :)

I'm still trying to shake a cold that I've had for a week. It has sucked especially starting school with it, but I've gotta cling to the promise that God has a good and perfect plan for me.

Godspeed,
-sam

Hometown

I know I know.

It's been sometime.

I have been beyond busy. Camp has been everything amazing and God has more than blessed me. It just goes to prove how right Jesus was in saying the way is narrow. Trying to be a good example as well as lead and organize groups of boys is exhausting. Especially when breaks are scarce.

I could talk about this summer forever though and I don't want to. I love what I do but this post is a reminder.

A reminder to my friends in Alexandria. All of them. I was recently told that the vibe was that of me ditching everyone.  I miss you all. Summer is full of never resting time. Especially on an island.

If there is anything I need it's prayers. Prayers for patience, energy, and that I may receive love better.

Shout out to all who have seen me at work.  Also to an amazing friend. One who has stuck with me through thick and thin. Especially after I have been horrible to her. She has never faded. Even through a recent lost phone dilemma. She has never held back and been honest constantly with me. Even when I didn't want to hear it and needed it most. I owe her zorbaz or dinner on the island. I want to serve her how she has served me. I suppose this is a God thing because she has been a total blessing to me and a model of what selfless love is at times. If you were wondering. I'm constantly thankful for you even when I don't show it. Thank you. I miss you. Come for dinner. You are amazing. Also. Your eyes are way way way beautiful. In case you were wondering.

I miss you Alexandria.

I'm sorry I left so soon. God wanted me to be a camp counselor and to tell kids about His love and His son.

Much love

ø Connor ø

Beauty

Psalms 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made."

Being out in the Black Hills astounds me. I'm not the type to be completely mushy and say "Awww it's so cute." But there is something about nature that just makes me stand in awe. Put me in front of a mountain with snow caps and I won't talk for at least a couple of minutes.

Beauty. God intertwined it in nature to show us a glimpse of who He is. It's all part of the void in our heart that God created in us that only He can fill.

Beauty. It is also part of the traits that God has given us, more namely, women. Let me explain. I was talking with one of my friends tonight and we were talking about how different guys and girls are. If the traits from guys and girls are combined, they show us a clearer picture of who God is. For example, God made women the beauty of the earth. That gives us such a small glimpse of beauty so that when we get to Heaven, it's totally going to blow us out of the water at how beautiful He is.

Those are just some thoughts.

Love ya,
-sam

Marriage

Wow, I never thought I would get to post again.

Those of you that read still and care, here's a quick update of my life

I just purchased a guitar, lost my phone, worked myself into sickness somehow, and have no family in Alexandria, MN.

and i want to play guitar with my friend right now. .

until later

much love

ø Connor ø

Humility

It's been a while again I realize.

We have a weekend off! As a majority of a staff we are heading to Valley Fair and kickin it together. I can honestly say now that I know these people, I love these people. It's a true community/family. We struggle together, we prosper together, we get on each others nerves, we give each other joy beyond belief. You get the picture.

I was playing guitar this morning, my journey in learning this beautiful instrument has been fast and furious. I can now strum and change between: C, D, Em, G, A. So now that you all know that. (as if you needed to) it comes to the main part of the story. I played in front of all the campers and their families at closing chapel service....alone. Typically I have a safety net for guitar in my good friend Tuxie, she had kitchen duty :(. I find humor in this and I bet God did too. As I was playing the song "Humble Thyself" it seemed to be the message I needed. The prior night I was exclaiming how fun guitar was and how fast I was picking it up, forgetting my original intention: To glorify God.

After that mishap I was sure to remember who gets the glory.

Also I'm going to be a little selfish and do a public anonymous apology. Selfish because apologies are for both parties, but for the offending party it lifts a weight off their shoulders. My other shakers haven't been posting (I'm sure you all noticed) since my refresh series. It was wrong in a sense to voice my thoughts and opinions in that matter no doubt. I will also take the precaution in saying that apologizing for opinions is wrong, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it's with who the opinion affects and how the opinion is expressed is the wrong thing. Also on that note, I tried to let it pass and remind myself that I cannot see the intentions in anyone's heart. I don't know what drives people. That's only for God to know.

I am sorry.

It gets difficult to have relationships at times because as sinful beings we are broken, our relationships will reflect that because without God we cannot perfectly love or do anything. It's up to Him as to what happens and up to us whether we continue asking Him what to do or go on our own human understanding. (Humans don't understand much....at all)

With that I might be leaving you for a day or so.

Thank you for sticking with us readers, this summer is a trying one on me and I'm sure my other shakers. Keep us in your prayers as we shall keep you in ours.

P.S. I love and miss my family beyond belief, but camp is treating me way too nice. God is amazing. (that's a huge understatement.)

Much love

ø Connor ø