Stories. Our lives are comprised of stories in and all around us. We are writing our own stories as those around us are writing their own. Often times our stories overlap with others stories. We should all learn to share our stories so that they can be used to impact others. I have developed a love for stories and storytelling.
Ever since I was a child I have wanted to write stories. Starting with my first journal I have always tried to write fiction stories but, I could never finish them. I have recently decided to start a second blog dedicated to posting these unfinished stories. Sometimes I will post stand alone stories that have no ending, sometimes I will post short stories that have endings, and other times I will post different parts of one story. My goal is to share these stories with the blogger world in a hope to inspire and encourage others to become storytellers. I also hope to learn ways that I can perfect my stories.
If you look on the right side of this blog, under the heading "Life is an adventure", you will see a link to my storytelling blog. It is entitled "Stories from the dust" for these are simply stories from a man who was made out of dust. You can also click on this link Stories from the Dust to view my other blog. I hope you enjoy the stories as they are posted.
Here's to the art of storytelling and using stories to inspire others! Here's to taking part in writing stories like our Creator, the Great Storyteller.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
College Students do not need another book discussion group.
Heaven is for real but, another book study is not. I thought as I walked back from the book study that no one showed up to. It was our second night leading a discussion group on the book Heaven is for Real but, tonight not even our Pastor or my Co-leader came to participate. This has been my reoccurring thought since we were assigned this intern responsibility: College Students will not attend another book discussion group.
At one of our recent intern meetings our Pastor presented us with the opportunity to lead this discussion group on this controversial book. The interns all felt skeptical about leading a group on this particular book but, we listened to the will of our Pastor and planned out who would lead what. The first night our Pastor went to the group which allowed the two interns leading to discuss the book with him. Tonight was the second night and no one came out for the discussion. As I returned to my apartment I thought through all the possible reasons why people would not have come out: they were too skeptical about the book, the promotion was lacking, or even that the week before finals week was one of the busiest and most stressful weeks of the semester.
As I analyzed this situation I realized why I was not passionate about this discussion group. It was not completely because of the book choice. It was not because of my busy week. It was simply the fact that college students do not need another book discussion group. We live in a busy world of overbooking where we are surrounded by textbooks and discussion groups. When we aren't studying or involved in an extra curricular activity, we are spending quality time with those we are closest to. College students, also known as millennials, do not need another book discussion group but, instead they need a place where they can simply be.
In our crazy, busy, hyper-connected world we are filled with different groups and events to be a part of. We do not need the Church providing more events and groups for us to join. We need the church to love us. We need the church to provide times where we can simply be in one another's presence. We need to be able to relax. We need to feel free to ask questions, explore answers, do fun things, and simply be. We need to experience God's love in the presence of one another so that we can be energized to go out and serve others. We can not give our best serving others if we do not stay energized. Book discussion groups won't always energize us. Simply being in the presence of God and others can.
These are just the thoughts from a drained, recovering chronic overbooker.
At one of our recent intern meetings our Pastor presented us with the opportunity to lead this discussion group on this controversial book. The interns all felt skeptical about leading a group on this particular book but, we listened to the will of our Pastor and planned out who would lead what. The first night our Pastor went to the group which allowed the two interns leading to discuss the book with him. Tonight was the second night and no one came out for the discussion. As I returned to my apartment I thought through all the possible reasons why people would not have come out: they were too skeptical about the book, the promotion was lacking, or even that the week before finals week was one of the busiest and most stressful weeks of the semester.
As I analyzed this situation I realized why I was not passionate about this discussion group. It was not completely because of the book choice. It was not because of my busy week. It was simply the fact that college students do not need another book discussion group. We live in a busy world of overbooking where we are surrounded by textbooks and discussion groups. When we aren't studying or involved in an extra curricular activity, we are spending quality time with those we are closest to. College students, also known as millennials, do not need another book discussion group but, instead they need a place where they can simply be.
In our crazy, busy, hyper-connected world we are filled with different groups and events to be a part of. We do not need the Church providing more events and groups for us to join. We need the church to love us. We need the church to provide times where we can simply be in one another's presence. We need to be able to relax. We need to feel free to ask questions, explore answers, do fun things, and simply be. We need to experience God's love in the presence of one another so that we can be energized to go out and serve others. We can not give our best serving others if we do not stay energized. Book discussion groups won't always energize us. Simply being in the presence of God and others can.
These are just the thoughts from a drained, recovering chronic overbooker.
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