Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Christmas comes again...
Well Christmas is once again only a week away. I can't believe how fast the year went. To me it always seems as if Christmas is coming right around the corner. Maybe that was in part to the fact that I spent 4 years living in Bethlehem, PA, where Christmas arrived somewhere in Mid October and didn't end until after the first of the New Year.
In the thinking about about the approach of Christmas and the end of 2009. I realize that this holiday season is an indicator of an entire year, that for me was a year of transition and change. These changes, I won't classify as positive or negative, because as I sit here typing, I have begun to see and understand that there is a reason for these changes, even if I don't know what that is. (Yet)
Really when I talk about changes I'm talking about significant events that have impacted my life in the past year on an emotional and spiritual level.
This past June, my one and a half year relationship ended, in what I initially thought was rather sudden. This took a dramatic emotional toll on me for a long time. I kept asking myself what if I did this and what if I did that. Well, having allowed myself to clear my head, I have to bring everything back to a spiritual place, to take it to God and leave it in his hands. I couldn't see that is what was happening when the relationship was ending, but God's will has become clear albeit a little bit late.( On my part. not God's) While I struggled through some pain and emotion that I had never felt before, that to has served a purpose in that I have felt and had the privlage of experiencing love and know that's a place I want to get back to.
There were two other events that took place this year which contributed to my year of transition. My continued employment at ASI has extended beyond a year, which to me is full of mixed emotion. As my original plan to be in PA by this point has fallen to the wayside, the job itself a possible contributing factor. However, in the season where so many are struggling to make ends meet and to find employment I feel blessed to be in the ranks of the employed. Working in this position, has unfortunately pulled me away from church and for the past year I've not been very good about finding alternative options to quench my spiritual thirst. I'm praying for the will to discern and choose a way fulfill some of my spiritual need.
As this Christmas seasons fast approaches I look forward to spending time with family and friends in fellowship. I hope if your reading this the season finds you well! Merry Christmas!
In the thinking about about the approach of Christmas and the end of 2009. I realize that this holiday season is an indicator of an entire year, that for me was a year of transition and change. These changes, I won't classify as positive or negative, because as I sit here typing, I have begun to see and understand that there is a reason for these changes, even if I don't know what that is. (Yet)
Really when I talk about changes I'm talking about significant events that have impacted my life in the past year on an emotional and spiritual level.
This past June, my one and a half year relationship ended, in what I initially thought was rather sudden. This took a dramatic emotional toll on me for a long time. I kept asking myself what if I did this and what if I did that. Well, having allowed myself to clear my head, I have to bring everything back to a spiritual place, to take it to God and leave it in his hands. I couldn't see that is what was happening when the relationship was ending, but God's will has become clear albeit a little bit late.( On my part. not God's) While I struggled through some pain and emotion that I had never felt before, that to has served a purpose in that I have felt and had the privlage of experiencing love and know that's a place I want to get back to.
There were two other events that took place this year which contributed to my year of transition. My continued employment at ASI has extended beyond a year, which to me is full of mixed emotion. As my original plan to be in PA by this point has fallen to the wayside, the job itself a possible contributing factor. However, in the season where so many are struggling to make ends meet and to find employment I feel blessed to be in the ranks of the employed. Working in this position, has unfortunately pulled me away from church and for the past year I've not been very good about finding alternative options to quench my spiritual thirst. I'm praying for the will to discern and choose a way fulfill some of my spiritual need.
As this Christmas seasons fast approaches I look forward to spending time with family and friends in fellowship. I hope if your reading this the season finds you well! Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
some randomness
It's been a few days since I've posted, just a quick few thoughts for consideration.
First let me say how excited I am that college basketball is here. I'm heading to New York tomorrow night to watch UConn face off vs Kentucky at Madison Square Garden! Should be a great early test for UConn. Hopefully they won't play like they did vs Harvard or it could be a long night.
On a different note, Patriots have been struggling the past few weeks. Just lost a very winnable game to Miami. Still lead the division, but the door is open for the Jets and Dolphins. I hope the Pats can finish strong or there may be some early vacation plans for our New England football team.
On a rather serious note, I would urge anyone reading this to read the following article and give it careful consideration. It is quite disturbing.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/08/uganda.anti.gay.bill/index.html
First let me say how excited I am that college basketball is here. I'm heading to New York tomorrow night to watch UConn face off vs Kentucky at Madison Square Garden! Should be a great early test for UConn. Hopefully they won't play like they did vs Harvard or it could be a long night.
On a different note, Patriots have been struggling the past few weeks. Just lost a very winnable game to Miami. Still lead the division, but the door is open for the Jets and Dolphins. I hope the Pats can finish strong or there may be some early vacation plans for our New England football team.
On a rather serious note, I would urge anyone reading this to read the following article and give it careful consideration. It is quite disturbing.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/08/uganda.anti.gay.bill/index.html
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Afghanistan
After having read Obama's speech, here's is my opinion on what to do with Afghanistan. Honestly, I have not a clue as to what the course of action is. Here is where my conflict lies. On one hand, there is the root cause of the conflict. September 11th 2001. Obviously something that no one can really forget and for me gives the conflict its legitimacy. (Unlike Iraq) Despite the time that has passed, the memories of that day still remain as a constant reminder as to why we remain in Afghanistan in our pursuit of delivering justice to those responsible.
At the same time, how long can we stay? What is the "smoking gun" that will signal that it is time for our departure? Is there one? Is it the death of Osama Bin Laden or some other significant military event?
In Obama's speech this week, the President announced he would send 30000 troops to Afghanistan to reinforce those already serving and responding to the call of duty. At the same time he announced the beginning of the removal of troops from Afghanistan in 2011.
It is here that I find the the true conflict in my feelings and opinions on the war. While I would still like to see justice served for those who perished on 9/11, I also have some doubts. Does the U.S military have enough to time to get the job done? Can we gain the cooperation of Pakistan and make this a two front attack against Al Qaeda and the Taliban? Can the Afghan government even function?
Obviously these are just a few of the questions that exist on the subject matter, but it does pose and interesting dilema? What will happen if Osama Bin Laden isn't dead by 2011, what happens? Will that be considered a failure? See... it could go on and on...
That is all for now.
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