Reflections from my week in Toronto part 2

HAHA! You thought I had turned all Darren and given up on blogging. Alas, not the case.

c) Catching up with recent, old, and older friends

So, I’m having trouble writing this, because this is serious, but it’s a blog, so I don’t want it to sound like a sermon.

Really simple – I loved seeing what God is doing in the lives of my friends, because it reminded me of how beautiful the adventure is.

Meeting up with friends at different stages in that adventure was great: some have "grown up" with me the last couple of years, some are where I was a year ago, now dreaming bigger dreams and taking bigger steps for God, and some are now just at that starting point, starting to understand the Joy that a life in the Hands of God can be.

It reminds me of what God has done in me: that first time my heart understood that God really was big enough to have the best plans for me or the first time I really realized how terrifying, but thrilling it is to trust God with something only He can do. And now to talk away with a friend of mine, and to see God continuing to guide us (though separately) and change our hearts, little by little, it makes me stand in awe.

This is my last year of University, meaning, im really young, but I still just look back and ask "Who am I that I am still alive to taste and see and know the Maker of this Universe? The One who is the author and perfecter of our faith?".

Heh, it seems as though I forget so fast about my brothers and sisters. How little I pray for them. I confess it: its hard to keep up with people, no matter how much you love them. But when I think about how far we’ve come, and how much more of God’s Grace there is to experience, I feel as though I have not been worthy to see the Work of God in your lives.

So, thank you.
(special shout-outs to SJZ04,BD05,TJ06)

Reflections from my week in Toronto part 1

Clarification - this blog will not only cover gender-specific issues. However, it will provide a male perspective on pursuing Christ, which I would define as the Christian's pursuit of manhood.

So, had a GREEAT time in Toronto. Had to narrow down the report to three things, so the following things, though thoroughly enjoyable, did not seem to fit in the context of this blog - seeing Sebonka hop around in pain, Travy's manlove poured out on a disturbed Dan R., numerous trips to Christian bookstores (four different stores!), buying a Piper book, eating at Big Fat Burrito.

So, here are three things i feel should be mentioned on my blog, possibly in order of significance (least to greatest):

a) Defeating Maria at Scrabble - Few things feed the ego of a young man as destroying someone at a GAME. Perhaps her loss can be accounted for by the fact that she had been awake for more than 24 hours, or perhaps it was a diplomatic act that flowed out of training from four years at the prestigious Arthur Kroeger College of Public Affairs and Policy Management. Who cares, I won. And since today (Sunday) Krystle and I received what I can only guess was a crushing loss (I left early) at Trivial Pursuit - Pop Culture 2, I can use all the affirmation of my intellectual competence as I can get.

b) Music on Road Trips - On the way there I realized young women nowadays fail to appreciate the subtleties in the music of Shania Twain. "Any Man of Mine" is a great song, period. I also practiced "Never Had a Dream Come True", apparently the favourite song of my soon to be bride, whom I have yet to meet. Oh, how she will swoon at my singing (umm, maybe I will explain this another time - regardless of whether you understand the reference, you must admit that song cuts deep.. real deep..).

On the way back, I got a ride with Rice who fortunately brought his Bryan Adams compilation. "The Best of Me" is the perfect song for two heterosexual men to listen to together in the car (sample lyrics - "I may not always know what's right, but I know I want you here tonight..").

Ahh, so one thing I have decided to commit to is to be brief in these posts. As a result, I think I will stop here, especially since the next part is long.

To be continued...

Welcome to The Pursuit of Manhood

First, let me point out that this is the most masculine title of a blog I have yet seen. Hopefully that reflects accurately on the source of its content (just in case it was missed, the title is tongue-in-cheek).

Second, you might notice something about the layout of this blog. I attempted to choose the ugliest template available. Why?? I have no desire to design this myself. Call it laziness, or evidence of the fact that I am less evolved than a human being who desires to express themselves through colours, but I have chosen not to put any time into it.

As a result, I am putting out a call to anyone who wishes to change the background and layout. I KNOW there are at least three people who will feel compelled to volunteer, feel free to email me and I will think about it and maybe send you the password to this blog. I know you don't want to be subjected to this haha.

Lastly, an answer to "Why finally have your own blog?":

Charles Spurgeon, the 19th Century British preacher, said of his calling to the pastorate that there was "an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work". This does not describe my desire to blog - nevertheless I really wanted to do it.

I will still post on http://chronicgospel.blogspot.com/ now and then, but I wanted a place where it didn't seem as though I was addressing any specific group. I chose blogspot cause other people were on it and I knew how to use it best. Sorry those of you who are on lj or whatever.

Again, welcome to THE PURSUIT OF MANHOOD!