Have you ever stopped to evaluate who/what influences you? People can and do go entire lifetimes without ever noticing one of the biggest influences of all, people.
As with almost everything in life, I feel I have a choice, and one of the most important decisions I will ever make is who I let influence me. I love observing what/how people make decisions. What factors go into their decisions. I think that's how I pick who influences me, how they live their life and what kind of decisions they make.
Another route I took in my younger years is the mistake of not consciously picking my close friends, and letting them pick me. It's very important whos opinion you value, because that person or persons are likely to be your close friends.
I feel it's SOO important to choose because of the tree of events that sprout from those who influence you. Chances are you will have similar thought patterns and decision making habits (atleast I tend to anyway) and that will pretty much decide how you live your life! Crazy when I think of the implications....
There are those in my life who are my friends for sure, but sadly, I cannot allow them to influence me in anyway. (And its funny how THAT leads to a path of mistrust and uncertainty with those people)
Not just anybody should be my close circle of friends, because whether I realize it or not, they will have an impact...for bad or good. (I think this is true for others as well.)
I am very thankful God has put many an amazing people in my life who have influenced me to be a much better person then before I met them....and Know He will do the same in my new home. I just have to make the right choice....that's what it all can be traced back to, a choice.
-Sean
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Relationships
I love summer! I'm fairly certain my brain operates slightly faster in the warmer weather. But it is 100+ degrees outside at the moment....good time to write I think.
Life has been very busy lately. Plugging back in to the hampton roads area is an ongoing process....but it is progressing.
Onto a somewhat random topic that has been on my mind lately-relationships. From what I have experienced...not an easy venture in a man (or woman's really) life. Taking time, devotion, sacrifice, and patience (to name a few) to become successful.
Another thing I have noticed is how good relationships are always SO awkward in the beginning! It takes time and effort to become the kind of couple you probably had in mind when first starting.
FYI-Starting a relationship with Christ is very similar. Slow change from the inside out. I think alot of people feel with both relationships and Christianity that when you first start such things there's this instantaneous life changing moment where nothing is the same and everything is amazing from that moment on....Nope. I mean, some people start a relationship with God with the life changing moment, but I think for the most part it's a constant, slow, process that requires you to keep coming to Him.
Now that I think about it, pretty awesome to see how similar the two are. How awesome it is to see that when you allow God to steer you on His path, everything else falls into place. (not to say you get whatever you want yada yada)
A pretty good example of this is two friends of mine who recently got married. It's very clear to see how Christ-centered their relationship is, and it encourages me to have Christ in the center of mine. Congrats Brittany and Joel!
Relationships are clearly what a good amount of my friends desire. It's sad to see desperation take its toll though....desperation causes settling for anyone willing to be in a relationship with you.....not good stuff. Not to imply to wait for the PERFECT person....but that at the very least a set of standards is crucial.
On a happier note though alot of my friends are single and just fine with it (or are looking with a set of godly standards for their mate) and yes, it definitely takes longer, but once you find that woman God has in mind, its worth every second of the wait...trust me I know :) Hope this makes sense in some way or another....
-Sean
Life has been very busy lately. Plugging back in to the hampton roads area is an ongoing process....but it is progressing.
Onto a somewhat random topic that has been on my mind lately-relationships. From what I have experienced...not an easy venture in a man (or woman's really) life. Taking time, devotion, sacrifice, and patience (to name a few) to become successful.
Another thing I have noticed is how good relationships are always SO awkward in the beginning! It takes time and effort to become the kind of couple you probably had in mind when first starting.
FYI-Starting a relationship with Christ is very similar. Slow change from the inside out. I think alot of people feel with both relationships and Christianity that when you first start such things there's this instantaneous life changing moment where nothing is the same and everything is amazing from that moment on....Nope. I mean, some people start a relationship with God with the life changing moment, but I think for the most part it's a constant, slow, process that requires you to keep coming to Him.
Now that I think about it, pretty awesome to see how similar the two are. How awesome it is to see that when you allow God to steer you on His path, everything else falls into place. (not to say you get whatever you want yada yada)
A pretty good example of this is two friends of mine who recently got married. It's very clear to see how Christ-centered their relationship is, and it encourages me to have Christ in the center of mine. Congrats Brittany and Joel!
Relationships are clearly what a good amount of my friends desire. It's sad to see desperation take its toll though....desperation causes settling for anyone willing to be in a relationship with you.....not good stuff. Not to imply to wait for the PERFECT person....but that at the very least a set of standards is crucial.
On a happier note though alot of my friends are single and just fine with it (or are looking with a set of godly standards for their mate) and yes, it definitely takes longer, but once you find that woman God has in mind, its worth every second of the wait...trust me I know :) Hope this makes sense in some way or another....
-Sean
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Treasure
As the name implies, what do you value in your life? Whats a treasure....something you sought for a long time and would be crushed to lose? Something you value but not just for a short time. The word treasure I feel implies long lasting value.
I realize there are many treasures in my life, and I bet there are a lot in yours if you look for them...as simple as being thankful for something.
One of my treasures I got to experience this past weekend was an adventure with some amazing friends from Nova. Catching up, boating, wakeboarding, and having conversations that make you think about very important things.
I cannot urge you enough to be thankful and consider the treasures YOU (not you compared to someone else) have. Some time and consideration will reveal what gifts God has blessed you with in this life.
On another completely random note; have you ever stopped to consider how active God really is in this world? How easy it is to miss it? I was talking to an old friend who recently got back from a mission trip to a third world middle east country and was simply astounished at how much God has used him over there. Subtle ways in individual lives. Nothing that would ever make the news or seem to have much of an impact at all but in truth...has a monumentous impack in the eternal kingdom. One treasure to consider is how God has not forgotten us. He is slow to anger and quick to guide us in His plan!
-Sean
I realize there are many treasures in my life, and I bet there are a lot in yours if you look for them...as simple as being thankful for something.
One of my treasures I got to experience this past weekend was an adventure with some amazing friends from Nova. Catching up, boating, wakeboarding, and having conversations that make you think about very important things.
I cannot urge you enough to be thankful and consider the treasures YOU (not you compared to someone else) have. Some time and consideration will reveal what gifts God has blessed you with in this life.
On another completely random note; have you ever stopped to consider how active God really is in this world? How easy it is to miss it? I was talking to an old friend who recently got back from a mission trip to a third world middle east country and was simply astounished at how much God has used him over there. Subtle ways in individual lives. Nothing that would ever make the news or seem to have much of an impact at all but in truth...has a monumentous impack in the eternal kingdom. One treasure to consider is how God has not forgotten us. He is slow to anger and quick to guide us in His plan!
-Sean
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