The Ghost of Christmas Present

...spent a bit of time this afternoon putting up most of the christmas lights. I covered the ceiling with them. Strings of lights on each seam of the drop ceiling tile. The whole room is lit up. I love it! Once I get decorating, I want to make it look good. All of this is for my own personal benefit and for open dorm. [There's nothing better than that happy feeling you get when you think that Christmas is coming soon] I was sitting in D-group last night thinking about that ever familiar spirit I feel every year about this time.

A spirit lingers here
Christmas in the air
Not seen but felt
Oh who can tell
From where this spirit comes

Hot chocolate just isn't good and tasty without cold air blowing around you. Why is that?

Here I sit thinking of all the things I must do. Room needs to be a little bit cleaner. My homework sits there, silently. I wish it would nag me out loud, but no. I have a little black book with a listing of all my homework. This helps me visualize the things I must get done, and need to get done by a certain day. As I think...one more speech in Public Speaking. Group paper revision project in English. Type notes for Christian beliefs. Report for Principles of the Christian Life. Old Testament exam. Spiritual Formation exercise. Reflection papers for all. Okay.

I don't know. Mylon told us Tuesday night when he stopped by to get ready for the next couple of weeks. He explained finals and the anticipation of being released from prison...err, school would really be hard. Mr. Profitt mentioned the weary days before winter break and spoke warnings along the same thread. I'm not sure if I should prepare myself or not. I'm not worried though. No point in that. Although, it hasn't hit me yet. Should I be scared? *laughs*

-Samuley

It's beginning to look A LOT like...

so the huge [yet artificial] christmas tree in the dining hall is sooo crooked.
not to mention the controversial blue bulb...

so I was sitting here after putting up my beautiful Christmas tree. [see picture*] with a smile on my lips and a huge feeling of satisfaction inside.



I'm also typing up a paper and getting ready for tonight. I have the privilege of speaking at Teen Power. Topic? Oh, recaps on Thanksgiving, an object lesson on salvation, but mainly I want to talk about the benefits of being a Christian. Honestly, it's the best thing I've ever done. [What about you?] I also want to throw in something about the Fact-Faith-Feeling train, essentially: continuing in the Christian faith.

Oh, and then theres volleyball intramurals tonight, and English Paper #3 due tomorrow.
Ahhh...college!

Your bracket loving blogger,
-Sam

I know it's late, but...

Two things:
I know it's late...

1st:
I was listening to a Christian radio station on the way back to school tonight. I heard a popular Christian figure and his co-host listing the good, bad, and ugly on the Christmas season political correctness issue. Namely taking "Christmas" out of everything -signs, banners, even our friendly greetings. I find this very hilarious and ridiculous. Sure, its an subtle rejection on Christ himself but to take "Christmas" out of Christmas is just insane. I think religious and non-religious people alike find it crazy. [I'm not sure I see myself as a "religious" person, but rather one who believes in a relationship with Jesus Christ] Point? The term Christmas and the Christmas holiday are so much a part of the winter celebration in the United States that to take it out of our store signs and the way we greet each other is very amusing to me.
My case is this: I find it very revengeful to boycott certain stores because they sell "family trees" or say "Happy Holidays!" instead of "Merry Christmas!" Are not we as Christians supposed to overcome evil with good? I doubt there is a way to find a podcast of the radio broadcast but he just seemd very "pro active" about it, in I believe, the wrong way. Not that taking Christ of out Christmas is okay with me, but that not buying from a list of certain stores or canceling ad suscriptions (as the host mentioned he did) will make a difference. I believe instead of talking and complaining about how bad it is that Christmas is being taken out of everything we should loudly proclaim "Merry Christmas" to all, and remember the joy of our Savior Jesus Christ. So with much sarcasm I say, "Happy Holidays!" ...err Merry Christmas! *smiles* See www.family.org or www.citizenlink.org for further reading.

2nd:
I think that I as a Christian am unprepared. Perhaps a lot of us are. Here's what I mean: In Teen Power prayer meeting tonight we talked about this. My fear is that we get ourselves into a routine and although we pray, when God acts we don't know what to do. The last thing I want to do is to be a spectator, but rather a participator. However, I'm just not certain we are ready. Are we qualified? Yes. Only by Jesus Christ's blood and God's calling in our life. But I believe we lack a faith of action, one that says "God I know You'll do this according to Your will." not, "God please do this, if it's Your will." Maybe its our ever popular confusion of what God's will is. I find it in Jesus' ministry. He said, "I come to seek and to save that which was lost." The verse that I think of is I Peter 3:15: "In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." [NIV] I ask that God would break me and help me to develop a passion and love for the kids [affectionate slang for teens] here in Cinci.

-Sam