Careful...

I'm a big fan of yogurt! Like to have one every day if I can. Last summer I was introduced to the concept of putting granola in my yogurt. LOVED IT! So I just bought a box of granola and started spooning it in with my yogurt when I ate one (granola yogies I like to call them). I loved it so much that I kind of mentally told myself that I would never really eat yogurt without granola again. That was a mistake. Here I sit, this very night, eating yogurt without granola... not because I don't have any granola, but because I don't want any granola. I guess it got old after a whiile. Now I'm back to regular yogurt. Perhaps one day I'll add the granola back in. And that's totally fine, but it's amazing how much or how fast my preferences, desires, and beliefs can change.

My friend told me that there are absolutes, convictions, and preferences. He warned me to be careful about what I thought to be absolute. "The longer I've lived the more things I've found to not be absolute," he said. Though he believed that there are certainly some things that are absolute and non-negotiable, he explained how there are many seasons in life and how our beliefs, convictions, and preferences may change over time as we learn and experience more. The yogurt will be a reminder to me. Just because I thought it was the best way to eat it at the time doesn't mean that it will always be the best way for me or for everybody. Or worship. Just because I worship God a certain way now and really connect with Him doesn't mean that it will always be THE way that I connect with God or THE way that others have to do it to connect with Him. I have to be careful that I don't believe something like a certain style of worship is an absolute. That probably would be putting God in a box and unrealistic/potentially damaging expectations on myself and others.

The Sherminator

Going through a video series on relationships by Dean Sherman - it rocks! Would highly recommend it.

The Facebook Group

If you're on facebook and want to follow my journeys at Street LIFE in NYC you can join the group -
"The Life of Riley in NYC w/ Street LIFE Ministries"

It keeps more pictures and such and they are better organized.

Graduation

Graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in Electronic Media (May 2, 2010).

Handing out care packs, hot chocolate, soup, and clothes at the Tompkins Sq. Park.

First day in the park

Met a couple cool guys at the park today - Bob >> He told me a lot about NYC, from the guys putting poison in the rat holes to the chaos on 9/11. Also, got to sit down and eat some soup with John >> He's been traveling the U.S. for some time. He believes in God, but doesn't want too much to do with Jesus. We did get to pray for each other though and hopefully he'll be there next week and so we can hang out and share more food and life.

Made it to NYC safe and sound. It was only an 8 hr. drive from Wooster. Thought it was gonna be a little longer. Living with Jeryl again this summer (he's pretty legit).

We're going to Tompkins Square Park tomorrow where there are many homeless people. A couple of us may take the train in since there is not enough room for the whole staff in the truck. GOD WANTS TO RESTORE LIVES AND BRING HOPE TO THE STREETS!

leaving

getting ready to leave for NYC in an hour. Prayers are appreciated : - )

Grandpa brought home a Ford Mustang to test drive. He let me drive it around for a day. Pretty legit!

Purple Ketchup

I don't want to be purple ketchup. A flare up. A grand opening and then gone. One who walks with God for a few years of my life and then is nowhere to be found. I have just started the race, but from observing older and more seasoned people in my life I am encouraged and see the importance of enduring and "finishing the race." I hope to be like them, the red ketchup. Lasting.

Kinda Crazy...

About 2 years ago, my roommate got me listening to heavy metal Christian bands. Last night, we went to a concert in Louisville, KY. 4 bands played (War of Ages [one of my favorites], Bless the Fall, Demon Hunter and As I Lay Dying). It was pretty legit. We got to the venue early so we looked for a place to eat and ended up going to Buffalo Wild Wings, a.k.a. Bdubs. It was 5:30 or 6 (not the prime dinner time for Bdubs) so we were pretty much the only people in there. Then a few 'rougher' lookin guys walked in and sat down 2 tables away from us. It was the band members for As I Lay Dying. So we went over and said hi and told them we were psyched for their show. We got to sort of meet them and such. That was cool! And then... during the show, Bless the Fall was playing and their lead singer climbed the light fixture and was hanging from the ceiling above the crowd. He jumped off into the crowd, but apparently nobody caught him. The band played the rest of the song and then announced that it was their last song since their lead singer appeared to be hurt pretty bad. Not sure if he'll do that again. Kind of a crazy night.

Did God ever or does He ever THINK about anything, or does He simply KNOW?

Turned in the key to our college house today. It's over : - (
So many great people and memories. What a privilege : - )

I woke up today and was just rolling around a bit. For some reason I kept thinking of God being the Potter and me being the clay. How the clay is on the wheel and it spins. After a while, instead of seeing myself or some unshaped clay or something I saw Earth - just spinning (as it naturally does), with God's hands around it. How He put the world and life into motion and is continually shaping, cleaning up and redeeming creation and His people to reflect His glory and magnificence. It seems we only have a taste of God's awesomeness!