"If my life is broken for Jesus, it is because the pieces will feed a multitude while a loaf will satisfy only a small lad"- Elisabeth Elliot
"Every act of our lives strikes some chord that will vibrate into eternity"- Rick Warren
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Tuesday, February 20, 2007
TwentyFive
I'm going to let everybody in on a little secret. I'll take my "retirement"-like sabbaticals for months - almost year(s) from blogging and then I'll sit here in front of my computer, listen to some fantastic Christian music, and be inspired to scribble down some thoughts.
I title this entry "TwentyFive" because of course in 2006 I turned 25 and it turned out to be another year of great change and blessing. I remember waking up on the 5th of September and thinking to myself "I hope I feel this way when I turn 50". A feeling that I could only explain as "truthfully content" or "incredibly blessed" rippled through my entire being. In the last quarter century I reflect on all the trials, the sorrows, taste of tears, defeats, harsh lessons, fears, time that'll never be regained, times my head hung low, the shame, the bitterness, the regrets, the smiles, the laughs, the victories, the encouragements, scents of memories long gone but not forgotten, the foreign lands, the achievements, the accomplishments, the friends, the family, the loves, the accolades, the beauty, the music, the miracles, the gift of LIFE ... and at the end of day I continue to be in awe of bewilderment to why things have worked out the way they have in such unexpected but amazing ways.
Here's another truth, at the end of every day I remember God's conversation with the devil regarding Job. Specifically Job 1:10-11. And I wonder if that is state of my faith. I would like to say with every fibre of my being that that's not the case ... but how can I ever be sure unless all that I was given was taken away from me? How can anybody for that matter? I see the poverty (in materials and in spirit) around me and pray that I can be there during those moments to make a difference with everything that I've been given. I see sickness, specifically cancer all around me and can only hope that we will understand that God knows best.
I love working with my teens at my youth group. I'm always excited at the prospect of where they will be when they reach my age. I'm excited alone on just the thought of what they will do on their future campuses. Although Kyrios has been a blessing to me, I find myself missing a fellowship with people my own age. I need somebody to butt theological conversations with (modernist vs emerging church aka post-modernist debates anyone?). Hopefully I'll find a group soon.
Oddly enough there's a small growing collection DVDs on my shelf of past Christmas and Easter Friday Productions that I've directed and/or acted in. I chuckle to myself at how they're so professionally done with their own DVD case and printing and all - I'm quite impressed. Have I the courage to pop one of these in and see myself be someone else (eg: Jesus from 2006 Easter?) ABSOLUTELY not. In terms of that drama ministry I talked about ways back? It's coming to fruition and I'm happy to announce that there's a Creative Ministry Team at TCCC. Our next current project? Easter 2007 Production :)
I've finally learned the pains and joys of being a homeowner and recently, a landlord. In October 2006 I'm the proud owner of (coincidentally) 25 Prince Charles Way, Markham, ON. 2007 I've rented my place out (as painful as it was to let go of a fresh brand new home) to my tenants. I have to say, I learned many valuble lessons when it comes to preparing/maintening a brand new home. *sigh* Until the tenant agreement is up in 2008, I'll just have to pretend that I never owned 25 Prince Charles Way.
2006 I also become the proud owner of a '06 Acura TSX. Beyond my wildest dreams I didn't think it was possible. I prayed and prayed and prayed about this decision for as long as I've been saving for one and after God gave me His stipulations, I walked into Acura Markham and put my 4 years of negotiation skills from Laurier to the test. I'm thankful that after getting $2000 under MSRP, a handshake, and 3 days later, I picked up my first brand new car. I guess it's never been a secret that driving has always been my passion. I've always wanted to own a manual transmission car and now that I do it's such a joy to drive.
Although I'm sure I can write a novel, I think I've demonstrated enough that 2006 has been a big year. I give God all credit to which he is undeniably due. Not to mention only He knows when's the next time I'm going to write another post ;)
posted by Clint at 8:53:00 PM
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Life
Just taking the time to reflect on some events in my life ever since I graduated. This list is really for my own sake:
- Graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University
- Started my Canadian Securities Course
- Found work at D-Link in Mississauga as a Supply Chains Analyst
- Joined GoodLife Fitness
- Finally refurnished my bedroom
- Paid off the "hold" payment on my townhouse that will be built July 2006
- Switched jobs to become a Contracts Analyst at Infostream Technologies in Richmond Hill
- Wrote my last CSC exam and passed
- Became a counselor for my highschool fellowship at TCCC
- Joined the Graduate Christian Network (GCN)
- Signed up to teach Sunday school at TCCC - University Life Preparation
- Went to Washington for Evelyn's cousin's wedding
- Joined Body Vision Gym courtesy of Infostream Technologies
- Went to China in October (post-graduation trip)
- Asked for the first time to be a groomsmen for my friend's wedding in July 2006
- Caught up on all my "24"
- Finally went to see a Massage Therapist
- All you can eat sushi dinners with supervisor and coworkers
- Finally went to see a Chiropractor
- Finally snowboarded for the first time in my life
- Kyrios Snow Camp
- Cousin's engagement party on Dec.24
- Signed up to teach Sunday school at TCCC again - Every Young Man's Battle
- Dedicated myself to head/start a drama ministry at TCCC starting 2006
- Canoe restaurant on the 54th floor of TD with Evelyn
- Got my raise at Infostream Technologies
- Great dinner conversations with Mike Mak
- Started RRSP contributions
- Winterlicious with Coworkers
- Joined Karen's Christian book club every Wednesday nights
- Catching up with old friends
It's been a pretty busy 1.5 years for me. I use to feel that if I didn't do as much as what most of my peers have done (in the same amount of time since they graduated) then I would have been wasting my life. But you learn that your life is what God makes it and that obedience is all that it takes to find contentment in your life. Comparing my life to another is just asking for discontentment when really my life has been blessed from the beginning through the good and the bad. As this new year begins I say to myself that there are things that I want to do, places I want see, and things that I want to experience. But at the very least I continue to hope that I'm doing what God has called me to do. I balance my career life and my ministry life and I see that God is with me in both. Surely I would like to believe that I'm doing something right :)
"... I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" - John 10:10
posted by Clint at 10:08:00 PM
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Snowboarding
I've avoided the invitations and even some taunting for almost 4 winters now until finally last Saturday Evelyn and Josh threw me in a car and drove off to Blue Mountain so they could lock me in boots, lock me to a board, and push me off a mountain of snow (okay, okay, some exaggeration applies :) I've been meaning to try snowboarding out for some time now to see whether it's something that I would like or absolutely abhor. We get there, I rent my gear (I think I put my boots on properly ;), and then stepped outside to join other eager skiers and boarders in front of the lift. The lift unfortunately only connects to all the Blue Diamond hills while the lift to the beginner hills ended up being a good walking distance away. I don't know why, but I basically said let's skip the beginner hills and brave the Blues - following the words of one DW "Go big ... or go home". Of course, without lessons, and being on a snowboard for the FIRST time in my life ... there were bound to be falls here and there (okay, more like every other second). BUT! I would like to think I caught on pretty quickly and started doing some decent carves and S turns before the end of the day with minimal "fallage"
All in all, it was fun wiping out with Evelyn and Josh (though Josh only fell to stop so he could watch over me - thanks man!) he's pretty pro. I enjoyed boarding and think I'll take it up and think about buying my own gear even. No real bad pains, sores, or bruises for me the next day - I guess it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Great times guys, I'm eager to join you two whenever the next time you're planning on making another run.
posted by Clint at 7:59:00 PM
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Revenant
I wonder how many of you still check this page, still see the word 'Refresh' and just move on ... that is until today. In anycase, the title of this blog should adequately describe it. The cause of my return? I've been TAGGED, plain and simple. There have been many times I wanted to post about lessons and experiences that I've learned/gone through since my last posting but unfortunately never got around to it. For now, I'll take care of this crazy TAGGED business first:
(1) Am most emotional when I see senior citizens being treated unfairly and poorly.
(2) Christian music always brings me back to God.
(3) Did not end up failing HBA Economics @ Laurier because of one simple piece of encouragement from my mum.
(4) Am in a wonderful place in life that I would never have thought possible 10 years ago. Truly GRACED.
(5) Just because I've lost contact with you doesn't mean I've stopped caring.
My encouragement and prayer as of late?
"Love more, hate less. Forgive more, hate less. Care more, hate less ..."
posted by Clint at 9:49:00 PM
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Refresh
I find that blogging is just getting harder and harder - I guess it's because I'm not a journal person to start off with. However, it is a nice way of remembering fond memories and moments that God has blessed me with. SOoooo, I just wanted to update this sporadic journal with some key highlights:
*Passed the CSC (Praise God!) It was hard toughing it out for 7 straight long months studying and working at the same time but it turned out alright in the end. I guess my only regret is feeling that there was a lot of sacrifices that were made for this certificate when ironically I don't necessarily need it for my current job. It's alright though, maybe I'll need it in the future but regardless it's nice to put on a resume.
*Awaiting interviews with my church's Youth Pastor to see how feasible becoming a highschool counselor starting September will be. Really excited. I volunteered to help teach a Sunday school series on preparing highschool graduates for university life. Brings back a lot of fond memories.
*Weddings galore - lots of close friends got married in the month of July. I'm really happy for them all - I just can't believe they're married. I guess weddings just kind of creep up on you like that. You know it's coming for you when your friends around you are starting to get married :)
*The new job has been amazing. I'm still trying to understand the ropes but I think I'm doing relatively well after 2 months. I love the fact that I wake up everyday not dreading to go to work. It's a very flexible environment and they've been really taking care of me since I started. The people I work with are great and I see room for amazing changes in the near future.
*Finally got around to getting some new furniture for my room. It's probably the first time buying new furniture in the last 15 years - gives you a picture of how old the furniture in my room is. The last week was spent taking apart and moving out the old furniture while moving in the new furniture and putting it together (yes the furniture is from Ikea).
Life is moving along at a much less stressful pace (which I'm very thankful for). I guess it's time to start thinking and planning ahead from here. Life is so much more broader after university - I've spoken about this point before but it still never ceases to amaze me to realize this over and over again. I appreciate work, my involvment in church, catching up on movies, reading a good book from time to time, and catching up with old friends in Toronto. For those old friends who happen to stumble upon this site, are done school and are back in Toronto, I'm looking for all of you.
posted by Clint at 10:40:00 PM
Monday, May 09, 2005
Blessings
Just a quick update. I know that May 7 has passed and I haven't posted anything about my CSC exam yet. A lot has happened lately that has made me push back my exam date to the beginning of June. June 6 to be exact. I'm in the process of switching jobs. Yes, I am resigning from my current position because I've been offered another position at another company that is MUCH much closer to home. Due to all the horrer stories I've read on the news about people being fired or whatnot over their personal blogs splurging too much information about their workplace I really can't say anymore than I already have. It's definately been a really busy period for me and I don't see myself resurfacing until my CSC exam is hopefully done and over with. It's definately an exciting time for me as well because God has been opening up many doors for me. I'll finally have the time and energy to invest myself in more ministry related fields at my church. I finally get to go on a much-needed vacation in October. China to be exact. So at the moment I'm in a place of praise and awe of the wonderful God that has blessed me so richly these past couple of months.
posted by Clint at 8:54:00 PM
Saturday, March 12, 2005
CSC
 Crammage  I wrote my first exam on March 5, 2005 and came out with a passing grade of 71. Thanks to everybody who has been praying for me. Boy did it feel like university ALL over again. I was up the night before until 3am to wake up at 7am so I can get in some last minute studying before my exam 1pm. After walking out of that exam and onto the streets of downtown on a gorgeous sunny saturday afternoon I felt a sense of accomplishment that I haven't felt since I wrote my last exam on WLU. Decided to reward myself with a famous Toronto Street Dog outside Union Station. Standing there with a street dog and enjoying the summer-like breeze felt like one of those simple moments that I die for.**On a humorous note, that mug on the table was filled with some HK style milk tea, that can of Coke saved my life around 1am, the Tylencol Cold to the right was for good measure, and Erica? - that IS a package of Ritter Sport chocolate in the top middle ;)
I decided to take a much needed week of rest and relaxation. Starting monday I'm going to crack open the second textbook and start preparing for my second exam. Hoping to write my last exam by May 7. I'll keep everyone posted!
posted by Clint at 11:29:00 AM
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