Wow.  I guess I’m not much of a blogger.  My last update/blog was back in September.  Part of the reason is definitely laziness, and, of course, I have other work occupying my time.  I also wonder if anyone has ever read any of these posts.  Writing for legions of fans would be a whole other story.  Powerful incentive, indeed.  Although I real enjoy reading a variety of media and literature, I don’t consider myself to be much of a creative writer.  I feel more comfortable with art.  I’m also a huge fan of videos and I can easily waste the hours away in front of YouTube and other websites.  As I am still learning to use this website, I’d like to see if I can post links within my blog.  So, if you get a moment, you might want to click on a few of these links.  They are mainly just for fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9h6KH3-9i0         Jordan Bullard was an American we met working on the border on behalf of migrants during our time in Mexico over spring break with “Frontera De Cristo.”  Jordan has written a number of songs about his experiences on the border, including this song called “Commonwealth.”  His stuff is excellent. 

http://thebricktestament.com/         This site gives incredible Lego interpretations of Bible stories, including the really weird ones.  This site is pretty funny and definitely strange.

http://larknews.com/current-issue/        If you are a fan of “The Onion” and satire in general, you’ll appreciate this site.  It’s essentially humorous, satirical articles for Christians.  Some of it is dead-on.

http://www.pcusa.org/msr/           I would advise you all to take some time to look around our denomination’s website now and again.  It’s good to learn about what our denomination is doing in our nation and in the world.  Also, if searching for a mission trip or an opportunity to serve overseas, there are opportunities found on this site.  Myself and many of my friends participated in the PCUSA’s “Young Adult Volunteer” program which has year-long volunteer sites in the US and internationally.  It will be a life-changing year for sure.

Secondly, since I have proven to be not a very dedicated blogger, I wonder if anyone out there might like to offer a selection now and then.  The world is yours.  I mean, you have to keep it appropriate and it should probably touch on some dimension of our faith…but if you are like me, I find that my faith life is intimately connected with most parts of our existence, so that leaves many blogging possibilities.  If you are interested, email me and let me know.  And perhaps you might inspire me to write more as well.  In the meantime, I’m at least going to spend more time searching the web for interesting offerings.      

I will soon be posting a new blog entry, but unfortunately, I'm in the midst of trying to figure out exactly how to use our website.  It shouldn't be that complicated, but it's not as easy as I thought it would be.  Argh!  Technology!  As Barb likes to say, "The infernal obstinance of inanimate objects."  Say that 10 times in a row.  Anyway, my blog entry will be a bit delayed until I figure this thing out.  However, in the meantime, get out your calendars and mark down a few important dates relevant to life here at CPC.

Sunday, September 20th at 6pm: Our student group will be visiting the home of Steve and Sandi Ward for a homecooked meal as well as an evening of playing "trash" - a fun game that is part "charades" and part "Catch Phrase."

Wednesday, September 23rd at 6pm: After a free dinner at 6pm, we are asking students and high schoolers to help us move everything back into Upper Westgate...yes, carpeting and other flooring is set to be finished early next week, so we want to move in ASAP.  If you can help out, we'd appreciate it.  It shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

Sunday, September 27th at 6pm: Our dinner in Upper Westgate!  Hurrah!  We'll also be experiencing the "labyrinth."

Sunday, October 4th at 2pm: "The Laramie Project" is a play which is coming to Ames about the life of Matthew Shepard - a young man who was gay and brutally murdered in Wyoming because of his sexual orientation.  This is a touching and powerful play and our church has purchased tickets, so the event is free...just RSVP with me to reserve your spot.  We will then have a time of discussion after the play, followed by an early dinner.

Finally, on Friday, October 16th at 6pm: "Celebrate Life at CPC" is an annual event held at Hickory Hall to celebrate our church and our church family.  All students are invited - it's a delicious meal and it's free.  Let me know if you'd like to attend.

All for now.  Wish me luck with my technological struggles!

Jesse  

Even if winter is your favorite season, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who does not revel in the spirit of summer.  Ever since I began school as a child, I quickly learned that there is nothing quite like summer vacation.  Summer is a time for enjoying the outdoors as much as possible, for family vacations, for fireflies, for ice cream, for watching the world go by while drinking lemonade on the front porch, for sleeping in, for staying out late, for swimming, for sunburns, for family reunions, and for resting before the fervor of the Fall takes off.  Although I enjoy all of the seasons, I have come to love and appreciate summer more and more, especially as my life gets all the more busy with each passing year. 

I deeply believe that people need rest and vacations and time to do whatever we’d like to do.  Some might argue that I’m lazy – which might be somewhat true – but I like to think that I maintain a healthy balance in my life.  For a majority of the year, our lives are marked by crazy schedules, papers and labs, deadlines, too little sleep, and often too much stress.  I certainly do not need to remind you all of this reality.  We are productive people, especially with a culture like ours that is rooted in the “Protestant Work Ethic,” and by doing so, we provide for our families necessities and enjoy many comforts and entertainment.  Comfort and entertainment are pleasurable, but I often wonder if we have become addicted to our TVs and ATVs, computers and gaming systems, DVDs and MP3s, new outfits and newly outfitted entertainment systems, etc. 

Personally, I think we need to rethink our priorities.  I am reminded to two sets of Bible verses, one from the Hebrew Scriptures and one from the New Testament.  Genesis 2:2-3 states:

       And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that  he had done.  So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work he had done in creation. 

God recognizes that work is good, but that it is also important to rest.  God values time to rest so much so that the Sabbath day is “hallowed” – it’s a holy day that is special.  I think that when we rest we can take a step back from our labor and our projects.  We can set aside our stresses and refocus on other things that will revive our spirits.  We can also take time to reprioritize what is important in our lives.  Is life about working to obtain more, or is life about sharing with one another in communities of love and support?  Is life about consumerism and entertainment or about relationships and creativity?  The two creation stories of Genesis clearly demonstrate that life is a gift from God.  I hope that by working too hard and too frequently, we are not squandering this gift.  In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says,

     Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

It seems to me that hording riches and gaming systems and cars is not where our focus should be.  Maybe if we put a little less effort into obtain consumer goods and entertainment we might better care for one another, and help to ensure food and shelter for all people.  Maybe if we took some more time out of our busy schedules to rest and reflect, we might recognize that the best joys of this life are free – like watching the stars on a muggy August night, or chatting with friends on a hike through the woods.  Enjoy your summer…and don’t forget to sleep in!