Andrew Hoagland has been doing a scavenger hunt against many other guys, it is a campus wide thing. (design by Morgan and Naomi, who gave us a scavenger hunt earlier in the year.) He decided he wanted to kidnap one of his opponents to get information out of him, or threaten him in some way. He got a bunch of us together to help him kidnap the enemy. Little did he know it was his birthday really soon, so we changed the kidnap to be on himself, the one he organized was for himself.
As he approached the door thinking we were about to kidnap someone else, everyone turned on him.
Try to look closely at this dog pile, it is actually impossible to find me in the picture. I am buried under everyone. Andrews chest is being pressed into my face crushing me into the ground. How did I end up in this position? I don't really know.
A crowed began to gather as we fought. Some spectators joined in the rumble.
Group Photo
I think he was very upset we played him this way, but after we got him into the van and to the icecream I think he forgave us.
Kyle Paradise, Owen Walsh, Will Galison, Meg, Dawnell, Pez, Davenport, Jamie, Andrew, and Gaby.
It was a beautifully windy saturday morning, I got out of bed around 7 or 8. Took a shower, and went outside for a nice read after breakfast. The wind was blowing constantly, keeping me really cold. I ended up having a nice long read in the library. After a few hours of reading I got the kite out to have some fun around 10 am.
Owen came out to join my adventure as we waited for the other guys to get up, to get into the Word together.
I found this nifty treasure while in search of broken glass and wood to make a custom picture frame. This will be a nice addition to my adventurer/sailor theme in my room. I was thinking about switching off my bike handles and putting this on it.
I had to publicly speak in front of about 20-30 guys today for the Preaching Class I have. I spoke on James 1:1-4. I was quite nervous, I don't know how obvious it is. I wasn't going to blog it, because I didn't want to bore anyone into watching me speak. I spoke very mono-tone and was pretty boring. So if you dare you may view my speaking presentation...
I think everything went pretty well in my sermon I just need more emotion, voice fluctuation, and need to relax while up in front of people.
My Manuscript is written out below:
THE JOY OF TRIALS
A. INTRODUCTION
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles (trials) that one has overcome while trying to succeed.” – (Booker T. Washington)
-Born Black Slave, Political Leader
-Trials Defined – a person, thing, or situation that test a person’s endurance.
REJOICING BECAUSE OF TRIALS, TO LEAD YOU TO GREATER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
--Background--
1. Servant
- Main text is James 1:1-4
-Read Verse 1 again
- James is author; a servant of God, the God of Jesus Christ
-Word “servant” in Greek is doulos = bond-servant
-Bond-Servant in the dictionary defines as “A person bound to services with no wages”
2. Scattered Tribes
-Writing to the 12 tribes of Israel; scattered abroad
-Greek word for “scattered” is “Diaspora” meaning to be resident in Gentile countries.
-Coming from Greek word “Diaspeiro” meaning distribute in foreign lands.
-not sure why the 12 tribes are scattered among gentile nations; being persecuted
- Going through a lot of struggles right now; James is writing to them to help them…
B. JOY BECAUSE OF TRIALS
-Read James 1:2
-I can be happy in a trial; I can still find things to be thankful for.
-Not what he is saying – Rejoice because of the trail, count everything about the trail a joy
- How can you really be Joyful in a trial?
C. GROWTH BECAUSE OF TRIALS
-Read James 1:2-3
1. Gain Patience
- Count all your struggles a joy because through the testing of your faith you gain patienc
-You grow the most in trials, when times get tough
-As you endure trials, you are able to deal with bigger trials/challenges.
**Personal Testimony: No struggles, easy life, tons of growth, becoming an R.A.**…
-the Move, OAE, Accountability
2. Becoming Complete
-Read James 1:4
- Let the trails work in you, look to how you will grow; having joy
-Through the trails working in you, you’ll be made perfect, not lacking anything.
-2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-God in his knowledge is helping us to develop these qualities/characteristics
-Read if you have time. - 2 Peter 1:6-7
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
-Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and god of all comfort, who comfort us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
-One reason we go trough trials is to comfort others as we were, comforted by God.
3. Christ Example (use point with time left)
-1 Peter 2:18-25
-Talks of Christ Example and how he endured the Cross, without committing any sin,
-He did not retaliate, in suffering he made no threats towards the men mocking him.
CONCLUSION
-God purposely puts trials in our lives, (he doesn’t tempt us) to develop our character to become perfect for his will and the task/purpose he has for us in our lives.
-CHALLENGE: Next time in difficulty be joyful because you know God is bringing you closer to Him.
REJOICING BECAUSE OF TRIALS, TO LEAD YOU TO GREATER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
I have a friend who has tons of cars stored in their backyard. I wish it wasn't getting dark, or at least that my flash was working so I could take better pictures. I could spend a long time out there taking photos. Here is some of the pictures I took;
If you look above, you can see a tree growing through the front bumper of the truck
On the way back to school from Kyle's house we always drive past this wooden silhouette cutout of this man off to the side of the highway. He is holding an american flag, and has a Hawaiian shirt on. We decided we wanted to change his dress code. We had a Goofy golf shirt, and an umbrella to give him. From the Highway Man it was a half mile to the exit, so we tried to back track on the roads to get as close as possible to where the Highway Man might be. We pulled the car on the side of the rode, and walked through some woods until we found a dirt track. We eventually found the Highway Man and rearranged his clothing. We tied the Hawaiian shirt on his waste and keep the American flag in his one had as he held the umbrella up over his head.
(My camera flash is being silly so it was hard to get a good picture.)
After we accomplished our task we began to head back to the car. As we got closer to the car, we noticed flashing lights behind our car. We began to get a little nervous, but deciding that we really didn't do anything wrong, so we have nothing to worry about, we approached our car. The Police officer got out and had a little talk with us. I told him what we went into the woods for. Apparently someone called the police on us for trespassing. After talking to him everything was fine and he let us go.
On our trip to Kyle's house for easter, Owen's car broke before we left campus, we managed to find a ride with a couple other girls going to Glens Falls. She has her guest sign the roof of her car.
My name is right above the handle on the right side under the word "poop"
As he approached the door thinking we were about to kidnap someone else, everyone turned on him.
Kyle Paradise, Owen Walsh, Will Galison, Meg, Dawnell, Pez, Davenport, Jamie, Andrew, and Gaby.
