Refresh (part 1)

How to update you all entirely.

Two posts!

First one commence

Camp is treating me amazing. I would also like to informally thank everyone for making graduation awesome. My speech felt great despite crazy nerves.

I also wanna plug the Droid. Sickest phone ever.

I suppose this one is going to be an honest post. One where spoken words evade me.

To my other shaker. I'm sorry again. I cannot. Find what to say to you. I don't want to be a judgemental hypocrite. I can just voice my thoughts.

I disagree with FCA. That's a good start. Putting oneself on a pedestal based on beliefs. Hardly humbling. There is little outreach and even less inclusion. It doesn't demonstrate any values Jesus laid down. "The least of these..." etc.

He didn't want us to make a big deal of ourselves.

I realize my opinions in this particular post may decrease my popularity. But it has been bugging me.

I also don't think you make a big stand by sitting out on dances because of "grinding" or rule out classes because they may be "challenging"  (speaking of a philosophy class)

See things like that and other reasons to grab attention (which we all love) and then plastering God's name on it to seemingly increase the value of said attention. Oy

God is not a vacuum cleaner. "Selling" Him can only get so far. Jesus presented us with a lifestyle. Not a cure all that you peddle to people. He gave us a clean slate free of charge in exchange that we spread His name through the love and grace of our actions. Not our sales pitch.

I realize the great hypocracy here. Which again is why I could never organize the words without writing them.

I'm sorry.

Much love

ø Connor ø

Whadda Year

How fast has this year gone? How many memories have been made? How many lessons have been learned? How many friendships have been furthered? How many lives have been changed?

All are questions that have been bouncing around in the cortex of my brain.

I've been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting on this year. It especially hit me at about 4 in the morning at the senior party. I'm not going to see about half these people ever again. The friends that I've spent 13 years of my growing up years with will be off in their different directions, with most of them never being seen again... It's daunting, really.

It makes me ask myself, "Have I done everything I can do to make sure my peers know the love of Christ?"

You can always do better, I know. But have you legitimately made an effort to try and get that goal out there.

Don't worry, you still have the summer to make a difference. Don't be afraid to engage in that deeper conversation. Be bold and ask them, in love, where they are at with God.

Go serve your King,
-sam
Song of the Day: Safe by Phil Wickham

Packing

I have so much going on right now.

Like that isn't something we all say to ourselves like ten thousand times each day.

Readers, I've been going through a recent slump of blogging because of one reason.

I don't know what I'm thinking about. At all. I lie awake at night just thinking, I'm not even sure as to what is running through my mind. Future plans. College. Friends. Friend issues. Family. What's for breakfast tomorrow.

Pause EVERYTHING!!!! I HAVE CAMPERS TONIGHT. I WILL POST MY SPEECH LATER TONIGHT AS WELL!!! wow I'm excited

Much Love

ø Connor ø

The Glory of It All

As you can tell by "song of the day" choices that I love David Crowder. It's true.

Anyway, life is so great for me. The World Cup started today! I love it. One month of pure soccer. God is good. My recap of today (and I think I'm going to recap every day for the month on how each day went and how I felt about it) :

The opening match was South Africa vs. Mexico. I wanted South Africa to win cause you've gotta rep the host country, especially since it's South Africa. But it ended up in a tie 1-1, with no overtime because it's just group play. No overtime until they get out of group play.

The second game I was a little more torn on. It was France vs. Uruguay. I love Thierry Henry of France but not too many others so I ended up cheering for Uruguay and Henry. Anyway, that also ended in a tie, except this one 0-0.

I really don't like games ending in a tie, but overall, this was a great kick-off to the World Cup. Go Spain and U.S.

Keep it real, and if you live in Alex, go to McDonald's North to check out our shake day picture. I guess it's next to the pop machine. I, myself, have yet to see it so lemme know if it looks cool.

Peace,
-sam
Song of the Day: The Glory of It All by David Crowder*Band

Scientist

Wow. So much in my head right now. Let's organize in print.

Camp is treating me amazingly nice. I cannot get over how much I love my "job". I say job with quotes because its a sacrifice I love. Its knowing that things will be hard. Knowing that its worth it. Leading bible studies and watching their faces glow. Learning about their all powerful and glorious Creator.

I love what I do.

I also have been uber blessed. This staff. I have been raving about for so long refuses to decline in amazing Ness. At the same time I miss everyone. Such a pendulum of loving every second I'm living. And missing every second lost with the others you love.

I saw my brother liked my Facebook status.

I also nearly cried because he wasn't right there for me to hug. To give a loving punch on the arm. He knows.

I also want to pump up our guys staff this summer. Its amazing to be along for the ride with such an amazing crew. open. Receptive. Eager.

I never want to lose that eagerness to work with children

Readers. Don't let me.

Not that the ladies staff is bad. By no means. I just spend more time with the gents and we go through the same experiences.

Also I want another shout out. I'm going to miss my family so much. It seems like after this weekend. I'm cuttin the leash. I know its far from it. But that's what it feels like.

I'm also a little nervous about graduation. To be frank. And excited. And feeling bad. That empty year book isn't instantly gratifying until you have the matching diploma.

Much love

ø Connor ø
Connor

Lessons from a Pup

Alright... This puppy pictured above is both the cutest and the most frustrating object of our attention lately.

He doesn't quite understand the meaning of no, nor the importance of that simple word. I know it might just be a puppy thing but he just won't stop biting. He doesn't know when it's time to wrestle and when to settle down to just be petted.

But of course now as I'm writing this, I call him over and he is not biting and allowing me to pet him. Ironic.

Anyway, I can't help and think that this can be used as an analogy with our relationship with God. God plays the part of the human, we play the part of the dog. Though we have some smarts and common sense to go fetch a ball or follow our human, sometimes, we are dumb. We don't know when to stop biting things or ripping up pillows. And if we could only see it from God's angle, I think we would realize that what we are doing as a society is so far off the path He created for us that it's like we keep rejecting the "No" command from our master. I believe that's why there is so much suffering in the world. It's not that God wants to or He's even doing any of it. But I believe that He is allowing it. He is a just God and He will follow through on what He said in Romans 6:23. "For the wages of sin is death." But that's not it. The rest of that verse says, "But the gift of God is eternal life." This is great news for those who realize their sin! Their future can go from gloom to brighter than the sun.

Imagine with me for second: Eternity. Think about it for a second...

Seriously, think about it.

When I think about it, it makes my stomach feel weird. So then I move on to thinking about eternity in Heaven. Wow, what a glorious time of celebration, fellowship and worship. Being together with all the Christians over the ages. It will have no end.

Other end of the spectrum: eternity in Hell. This is a never-ending time of isolation. Burning both in your body and the fact of being totally separated from God. Forever.

I've heard a saying once that said this: Earth is as close to Hell that Christians will get. On the other hand, Earth is as close to Heaven that non-believers will get to.

It's true. One of my fellow shakers made the observation that he thinks the physical pain will be very much secondary compared to being apart from God for eternity. I agree whole-heartedly.

I can't stand to think of any of my friends going to spend eternity from God forever. This is my motivation to love others like Christ did.

So repent of your sins. Even if you are already saved. Repentance should be one of our biggest acts of worship because we are realizing how wretched we truly are and how much we are in need of a Savior.

I'm right there with you guys. Keep on the straight and narrow.
Love,
-sam
Song of the Day- Searching for a Savior by Building 429

Training

Today marks the finish of staff training!
It's a good feeling to be kickin back with the staff watchin a movie in celebration. Although I wasn't there there the whole time. I feel like a part of the family.

I could actually rave on and on about this community of people.

Saturday we took a field trip to a different camp just outside of motley. Mostly for their high ropes and zipline. After that. it's hard to describe it. Like it all just feels so.

Good.

Refreshing

Like. I'm still a little outta whack from leaving Alex for a bit. I made it into a good family.

I suppose the only apprehension I have is just being the best I can for the kids. It sounds beyond corny but I really want to be a good role model and positive impact. Like more than anything.

Kids matter way to much.

This ones gonna be a hard one to summarize.

Basically. Find the best community you can of people. Bond with them. Love them. Take care of them.

If you are around kids. Don't be dumb. They take in EVERYTHING you do. So when you are on the biggest stage as a role model for some youth. Don't abuse it.

also. I miss you readers. I haven't talked to you in writing form in a while. I hope you all take care.

Much love

ø Connor ø
Connor