The past few weeks I've had a lot of free time - mainly because I don't have a job yet. Yes, I am helping Dave Smith quite a bit, but that's a little more sporadic. But like I said, I've got a lot of "free time." It's really nice when there's a party or concert or baseball game, and I've got nothing to hold me back. Other times though, it drives me crazy. I hate not having something pressing to accomplish. Sure there are things to be done, but nothing extra to spring me out of bed in the morning with that much more gusto.
I remember a few summers ago in high school (wow, that was like 6 or 7 summers ago, I'm old!) when my pastor from my home church gave a devotion for the youth group. I think it was the last Wednesday night before summer. We had a tailgate party and volleyball game. He talked about how sometimes the most dangerous place we can be is in our "free time." Satan uses it to tempt us toward sin. It's true. So in the past few weeks, I've been having to practice the discipline of self-starting. I'd say that most of the time, it's better to be doing something rather than wondering if anything will happen.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Random New Yorkisms
I was going to put this in my newsletter, but I didn't. So here it is!
Living in New York: Here are some random and interesting things I’ve discovered about the Big Apple.
1. People aren’t jerks. Everyone is more direct here; no beating around the bush. But if you need directions, people are happy to give them. People aren’t cold-hearted, just intensely focused.
2. I feel safe. No, I haven’t been mugged, shot, or solicited. I never really feel threatened anywhere. Even at the dead of night, there are plenty of people on the streets (“city that never sleeps”). I guess we think of the 80’s and early 90’s when it was a little dangerous. I’m glad it’s better now.
3. The poor and homeless are everywhere. Everyday I see at least 5 homeless people, or people asking for money…and that’s if I’m not looking for them. Jesus came to preach good news to the poor (Lk. 4:18)…do I?
4. There is a heightened awareness of social issues…to an extent. People care about healthy foods, the environment, AIDS in Africa, and the Darfur, which are all great. But the awareness is limited to the socially popular issues.
5. It’s diverse. I hear people speaking various languages every day. I’ve seen Catholic priests, Buddhist monks, guys in Muslim garb (no they were not in a bar), and more ethnicities than I know. You really can find a flavor or everything in this city.
6. It’s expensive. I’ve heard it’s one of the most expensive places to live. I believe it from the cost of rent alone! Most things are a little more expensive, so you’ve got to be pretty savvy. However, a frappuccino at Starbucks is always the same price everywhere in America.
Living in New York: Here are some random and interesting things I’ve discovered about the Big Apple.
1. People aren’t jerks. Everyone is more direct here; no beating around the bush. But if you need directions, people are happy to give them. People aren’t cold-hearted, just intensely focused.
2. I feel safe. No, I haven’t been mugged, shot, or solicited. I never really feel threatened anywhere. Even at the dead of night, there are plenty of people on the streets (“city that never sleeps”). I guess we think of the 80’s and early 90’s when it was a little dangerous. I’m glad it’s better now.
3. The poor and homeless are everywhere. Everyday I see at least 5 homeless people, or people asking for money…and that’s if I’m not looking for them. Jesus came to preach good news to the poor (Lk. 4:18)…do I?
4. There is a heightened awareness of social issues…to an extent. People care about healthy foods, the environment, AIDS in Africa, and the Darfur, which are all great. But the awareness is limited to the socially popular issues.
5. It’s diverse. I hear people speaking various languages every day. I’ve seen Catholic priests, Buddhist monks, guys in Muslim garb (no they were not in a bar), and more ethnicities than I know. You really can find a flavor or everything in this city.
6. It’s expensive. I’ve heard it’s one of the most expensive places to live. I believe it from the cost of rent alone! Most things are a little more expensive, so you’ve got to be pretty savvy. However, a frappuccino at Starbucks is always the same price everywhere in America.
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