Goodbye 2008!

I don’t know about you guys, but I want to get as far away from 2008 as possible. ‘07 was great, but ‘08 was…not so great. But if these past few weeks are any indication of what life is going to be like every day, then ‘09 won’t be that great either. I live in Chicago, a city rich in culture and full of things to do and I spend most of my days watching TV, going online, reading basketball/baseball/computer news, and catching up on some great shows that I’ve missed.

I hate how when you find that an awesome show, you find yourself playing catchup for hours a day. A few years ago I did it for “Sports Night”, this year I caught up to “House M.D.”, and now it’s “How I Met Your Mother”. However great these shows may be, at the end of the day you haven’t really accomplished much and John Piper’s slogan echoes in your head: “DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE!”

2008, get out of my face! 2009, don’t let me waste my life!

Happy New Years! Cheers!

Too cold to think

I realize that I should be blogging more often (especially because I said I would). Anyways, I like to keep my posts organized, short and sweet, but here’s just a bunch of thoughts that are going on in my mind before the Christmas:

• I really don’t like going to malls during Christmas shopping time. Parking is a challenge in itself let alone the chaos inside the mall. Praise God for Amazon.com.
• Driving in the snow brings back bad memories from OIL caravan.
• I’ve realized that claiming to be rebellious is just an excuse to do what you want to do and is an inadequate escape from the legalistic Christian life.
• Renga-Tei & Daruma are probably going to be the only places I will go for Japanese cuisine (unless a serious sushi binge is in order).
• I really need a hobby/I need to start working out.
• I’m going to try my best to go to this conference: Entrusted with the Gospel. It’s in Chicago (Rosemont) from April 21-23 (Tuesday-Thursday) How many opportunities will you get to listen to Piper, Keller, Driscoll, and Ajith Fernando in your neighborhood? Also, if you register you get a free ESV Study Bible. Fancy that. I’m willing to house people.
• I really liked “Run Fatboy Run“. I think it’s because I can somewhat see myself as the main character…and it ended well. (I just found out it was directed by Ross Gellar David Schwimmer).
• Here’s an encouraging ESPN article I just read: Life of Reilly. Isn’t it interesting that some of the best examples of Christians in action come from ESPN?

Merry Christmas everyone! Don’t forget the true meaning of the holiday! We’re not just celebrating family-togetherness, but we’re celebrating true HOPE (not the Obama kind).

Story of our lives?

“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
John 1:16

Needless shame

I Am Second.com

Ok. The early OIL registration ends this SATURDAY at midnight (technically Sunday, but who’s complaining?) REGISTER ASAP!!

Anyways, this week the OIL ad gets bumped for the “I Am Second” movement. I found this site on one of my pastor blogs and I just had to share it. This site is filled with stories of people’s struggles, trials, addictions, questions and the incredible hope and freedom that they have found in Christ. They share their story for your benefit, for your faith.

“Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart…

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

1 John 5:10-11