Tag: new year

11/365


11/365
Originally uploaded by Jonathan D. Blundell.

walk by faith

We were challenged this morning to face our giants. To face the areas in our lives that are keeping us from taking the next step with God.

Brian pointed out five giants we face. I think I could use some help against each giant.

fully surrender
intentional relationships
caring for others
personal responsibility
leadership

I’m looking forward to seeing where God takes all of us over the next year.

Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to rid my endless fears
You’ve been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do

Well I’m broken- but I still see Your face
Well You’ve spoken- pouring Your words of grace

-walk by faith
jeremy camp

Some crazy things about me

Well, Sara posted a list of 100 things about her on Myspace a couple years back. I followed suite and did it as well.

She just posted an updated/shorter list on her blog. Guess that means I should post a Jan. 2, 2009 version as well?

1. I tend to find things to complain about related to work too easily, but I am super thankful I have a good job.
2. I’m envious that my Life, Laurie really loves her new job.
3. I started using Uni-ball vision pens over the last year or so – I love them!
4. I’ve been carrying the same purple and green one in my pocket for a couple months.
5. I hate when you find a great pen and it turns up missing.
6. I love a great cup of coffee.
7. I have a french press at my desk so I can make a great cup whenever I choose.
8. I used the last of my Columbian coffee here at work this morning.
9. I loathe buying things based on a brand name or because they’re the “cool thing” to have.
10. Despite #9, I’ve only owned Chevy trucks and don’t plan to buy anything else.
11. I will buy a “brand name” if I think the cost:value ratio is right (hense #10).
12. A pack of Starbursts in our vending machine at work now costs $1! (see #1).
13. I used to sell candy and Little Debbies at school, usually with at least a 100% markup.
14. I may need to start a new side-job at work :-).
15. I’ve been designing websites for nearly 15 years now — self taught.
16. I think I’ve actually been paid to build 4 or 5 of them.
17. Looking back on my old designs, they suck.
18. I’m not thrilled with the current design/layout on my blog.
19. Starting the something beautiful podcasts likely tops the list of my favorite things in 2008.
20. Writing a novel is within the top 5.
21. I’d do a daily podcast/radio show if someone would pay me or I could find a couple more hours in the day.
22. I wonder if I can find someone to sponsor me, just living life and doing the things I love.
23. I’d be willing to sellout and wear a “brand name shirt” from 8-5 everyday if someone wanted to sponsor me to the tune of $40-$50k a year.
24. I have almost as much fun putting together an hour of “indie” music for the podcast as I do chatting with very cool folks like @kevinhendricks, @truckerfrank, @frankviola, @knightopia, @tallskinnykiwi and the 20 or so others I got to chat with in 2008.
25. My favorite part of editing a weekly podcast is adding Laurie’s closing statement at the end of each podcast.
26. The older I get, the worse my allergies seem to get – especially at night.
27. I think we’ve found a combination of meds that seem to really work – but I hate using nasal sprays.
28. Laurie says she can tell a big difference at night between when I use the new meds and when I don’t.
29. I used to sleep with music on almost every night.
30. Now I fall asleep to the sound of a fan.
31. I wish I was a better wood-worker.
32. My greatest achievement in wood-working thus far is a shelf I built for the garage.
33. It took me a year to finish building/staining a keep sake box for Laurie.
34. It was a wedding gift. I think she got it around our one year anniversary. :-(.
35. I don’t remember being very popular while I was growing up, but somehow I have over 400 friends on Facebook. What’s that about?
36. I would love to have kids.
37. The idea of having kids still terrifies me when I start thinking about it too much.
38. Love playing with them and enjoying them when they’re behaving. Not a big fan when they start acting up.
39. I’d secretly be thrilled if we had a baby by next Christmas.
40. Some days I feel like a walking contradiction.
41. I’ve been riding the DART bus to work for more than a year now.
42. It’s probably one thing I do that I get asked the most questions about.
43. I’m amused that riding public transportation is still so foreign to Texans.
44. Many people think the bus and rail are full of lowlifes that should be avoided no matter how much money it might save you.
45. Even though we can park for free at our new office building – I’d still rather ride the bus most days.
46. I often give Laurie a hard time about her wanting to buy nice things for me and/or our house, like a dining room table, or painting the walls.
47. Secretly I’m glad she’s doing it all and I love all that she’s done so far.
48. Laurie always gives awesome gifts.
49. I hope to one day do the “Hotter Than Hell” bike race in Wichita Falls.
50. I’d like to go skydiving and bungee jumping at some point.

And Thus I Resolve – 2004 resolutions

Wow it’s 2004!

I understand why people say the year’s fly by faster, the older you get.

It seems like just yesterday we were worried that the world would end amidst the Y2K crisis.

Geesh, what were we scared of?

As I sat and pondered this week’s column, I thought about following the example set by the Texas Monthly year end edition and give my own Bum Steer Awards for Belton.

After a few moments, I figured I better gain a little more credibility before I jump on anyone else’s case.

So like most columnists you’ll read this month, I’ll fit the typical mold and share my New Year’s Resolutions.

Now I’m not sharing this really for your benefit, but more for mine.

I’m a guy who can always use accountability.

Like scripture says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

So, I’m sharing my resolutions for you to hold me accountable to them.

Of course in doing so I realize I’m opening myself up to judgement and critique, so you better uphold your end of the bargain.

My good friend Aaron told me today, that since most resolutions go overlooked or ignored, the wisest thing to do is resolve to eat more junk food and stop exercising. He might have a very good point there.

But, my goal is to fulfill these resolutions — and to get you, the wonderful reader, to help me. So here we go.

In 2004 I resolve:

To loose 20 pounds by June 1.
Now I must admit, this one is probably the first resolution to go, maybe that’s why it’s first on the list.

To exercise more, including running at least three times a week.
This running shall not include running to the kitchen during commercial breaks, but quality running for an extended period of time. (This is also probably one of the first to go, but it feels good to say it.)

To write my stories and columns earlier in the week so I and others have a chance to proof and edit them several times before they go to the press. (Just a note, most of this column was written two days before press time – I’m doing good so far.)

To cover my body with at least three more tattoos. (Just kidding mom).

To become more active in the things of God.

This is a big one.
I’m always regretting that I spend too much time worrying about me and staying busy with things I need to get done, rather than focusing on things of eternal value. I’ve said it before, but I believe my favorite quote of all times is by C.S. Lewis, “All that is not eternal is eternally insignificant.” If I’m not focusing on the things God is focusing on, then I’m wasting my time and my life is truly nothing more than a vapor of smoke.

To become more active in loving and helping my fellow man.
Ben’s example a couple weeks ago reminded me of the needs that are around us every day, in Belton and around the world.
Thousands of people go hungry and thousands more die every day and we turn our eyes away because we’re too busy to notice or care. Personally I’ve become a part of DATA and hope to step up my evolvement this year. I won’t spend much time giving you the details — this week — but visit their website if you’re interested: www.data.org. As a part of this resolution, I also resolve that I don’t get sidetracked by an international issue and forget about loving my neighbors around me every day.

To tell my friends and family, “I love you,” more often.
This might get be a little awkward sometimes in a group of guys, but it’s still needed to be said. Sometimes this phrase is tossed about carelessly by people, but it’s also too often overlooked and not said sincerely enough. May my friends and family never wonder how much I truly care for them.

To find and highlight more of the good in people. (Good thing I live in Belton.)
Sometimes I feel like we, the media, only print and show the negative side of stories. I really wish we had more room in the newspaper to highlight all the good things people do, every day. We do print as many as we can. But for each story you read, there are hundreds of examples of goodness that go on in our midst.

Finally, I’ll take some advice from Joe Baisden:

To be more reliable.
May my yes be yes and my no be no. May you always be able to count on me to show up and do the things I say I will.
May my word be my bond.

Be enthusiastic.
No matter what the story is, no matter where I am, may I be enthusiastic and do all things without groaning or complaining. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” (Philippians 2:13-15) May I rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. May my gentleness be evident to all. (Phil. 4:4)

Do more than is required.
May I always fulfill my duties and always be willing to go the extra mile. Whether it’s stopping to sweep the floor, clean a toilet or spending time talking to a stranger. “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” – Matthew 5:41. I know I can find a number of other areas I need personal improvement in, but I think these few may take the next 50 years at least to even come close to perfecting.

But above all, I hope and pray that at the end of 2004, we can each look back at our year and say “I know I am closer to God today, than I was Jan. 1, 2004.”

Happy New Year and may your year be blessed.

Now you better hold me accountable!