Well, I've been pretty productive this week (WHOA big surprise). I finished some chapel summaries, went back to work, and sorted through my school supplies. Being the organized little whipper-snapper that I am, I made files for each of my classes last semester and put all of my handouts, tests, notes, and papers into those files. Then I re-labeled all of my notebooks for my classes this coming semester. Yes, World, I have accomplished something. Now I just need to get out everything I brought home at the end of the semester, figure out what I need to take back with me, and compile a list of things I need to obtain. It's kind of exciting, getting ready for school. I love organizing and feeling a fresh start, so the prospect of doing all of this is not daunting.
Lately I've become re-interested in the Puritans. Normally, when I become interested in a period of time or a group of people, I like to read books and watch movies based in that time or around that group of people. However, it's hard to find such literature/media for the Puritans. It seems like everywhere I look for material, I find only the common misconceptions about these people. I mean, some of the modern historians really have it in for the Puritans, making them out to be joyless tight-wads who persecuted anyone who laughed. I did a research paper back in high school about the errors in the way Puritans are viewed now, I should dig that up and look it over again. The funny thing is, is that I found on a sight this description of Puritans: Puritans believed that hard work could get you to heaven. That just made me laugh. The whole basis of the Puritan's reformed faith is that you can't get to heaven by works, it is only by the grace of God through Christ. I could ramble on for ages about the disservice done to old reformers, but that would become boring. My point, I suppose, is that it's really a shame that my current interest has found no outlet.
In other news, I made a schedule for this coming semester. Once again, I'm a dork and this sort of thing excites me. I even put in time for me to go to the gym and work out. This was done with the belief that if I have it written down on a schedule, I'll go to the gym. Treat it like a class or something and dare not skip. Because really, people, I need to get in shape. Badly. I know I'll feel better, sleep better, eat better, and look better if I simply exercise. This is something that I've needed to do for years but have never done. Now that I'm at college and have a gym at my disposal, I figure that I would be a fool to not take advantage of the facility. Maybe I can find a friend to be my "gym-buddy" (that sounds sketch) and help keep me accountable to going. Who knows, the possibilities are endless! Endless, I say.
On this schedule I've also included a time every morning where I get up and do my devotions. I have not always been great in the past about doing devotions, at least not in the morning. This is a fault that I have continuously told myself I need to fix, but have never taken any real action to remedy. But now I'm going to be diligent and do my devotions. I did them this morning and was amazed at how much better I felt all day. It was like I had this inner calm that strengthened me throughout the day, which is just not there when devotions and daily study of scripture aren't done. Maybe I might have to get up fifteen minutes earlier during the school year to do devotions, but it is well worth it. The Lord is with me every second of every day, why should I begrudge him fifteen minutes of my time to be alone with him? Besides, he didn't give me the Bible just to hear himself talk, he gave it to me to daily encourage me and bring me closer to him. It's like complaining that you never talk to your family while you're away, and the phone is sitting right there. Call your family. They want to hear from you. Same concept.
On that note, can you imagine what must go through God's head when he is dealing with his children? We give him so much trouble and he is just so gracious with us. "Did I tell you to act like an idiot? No I didn't. Now... wha? Why do you always have to not listen? I'm telling you very plainly what you need to do, why is it that you're not comprehending? No, Adam, I told you to leave that fruit alone. And now you're blaming your wife. Perfect." Or at least that's what I would be saying. Thankfully, God is much more loving, patient, kind, and gracious than I. This is yet another reason I could never believe that I could control my own life. I would screw up. So bad. Everyone would hate me. Fortunately, God is in control of my life, blesses me beyond belief, and gives me the grace to deal with those made in his image (and gives them a good deal of grace to deal with me).
Has this post rambled? I feel it's rambled. Imma gunna stop now. The time, it is growing late and I should probably get off to (go waste my time on YouTube) go to sleep. So, good night, Moon.
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