Kelsey-Land
2.28.2005
If you listen to this song, you won't be able to get it out of your head.
The kids I live with love this - check it out! Banana phone
¶ 9:05 PM 1 comments 
2.24.2005
It's Only Getting Better
A few years ago when I was in college, I had a conversation with my Dad - one of those honest reflective conversations. I was saying how I was so glad to be in college and how well everything was going. I was gaining independence, growing, becoming my own person, loving life. I made a comment that I wondered if something bad would happen because things just seemed to be so good. Listening to my thoughts, my dad agreed that he'd felt the same way but then said, "Kelsey, life gets better and better as you go along." And I'd have to agree. It seems like each new phase of my life is better than the last! I keep growing, streching, learning, experiencing and loving. It's beautiful & wonderful. Even after a hectic day, well, a hectic week, life is sweet. Even dealing with lonliness, singleness, burn out, stress, life is precious. I'm just so excited about what I see God doing, and I'm so excited to be part of God's community.
¶ 10:18 PM 1 comments
2.22.2005
Ecuador Prayers
I've been asked to pray about and consider leading a mission trip to Ecuador this summer. I'd be partnering with Jono, but still be leading a separate team, and going at a different time. I've been on mission trips before, but have never led one. I'm excited about the potential for growth, for seeing God, for serving the people of Ecuador, for serving the people who go. I'm nervous about the responsibility, the inadequate feelings I have about my leadership, the spiritual responsibilites, and the lack of skills I have in contruction. Please pray about this decision.
¶ 10:23 PM 1 comments
2.21.2005
I'm a jerk sometimes
I try really hard to be nice to people, to try to love them. But I usually screw it all up. I end up saying something mean, make a rude joke or am too blunt. I want to be perfect, but no matter how hard I try, the mean comes through, the sharp daggers come out, and I end up hurting my friends. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.
¶ 10:54 PM 2 comments
2.20.2005
Such a great weekend: three of my favorite guys, a sweet house, good food (thanks Andrew!), cable TV, wine tasting, pool playing, theological debtes and pelicans.
¶ 11:24 PM 1 comments
Nerd Night with Club 56 (Shannon). I have a water bottle in my hair to make it stand up like that.
¶ 11:18 PM 0 comments
"Like Kelsey" Button
Attraction is so WEIRD. Why is it that you attracted to some people and not others? Sometimes I find myself being attracted to people I never wanted to be attracted to (or SHOULDN'T be attracted to). Sometimes I find myself being attracted to several people at the SAME TIME! Like, try five! I don't think the attraction that I'm talking about is purely physical, its not. Sometimes the attraction is because I like the way they react in a situation, or I like the way they laugh. The worst part of attraction for me, is that attraction leads to lust. I hate it when I lust! I know that God is what satisfies me, not guys, yet I continue to indulge my thoughts about boys. I think attraction is annoying. I dont want to be interested in anyone. Sometimes I'd like to control other peoples reactions to ME - Iike a little button that could say "like Kelsey." Then I'd press it and all would be well. Why are are you attracted to some, and not others, and if you're attracted to them its like there's something in the air, where does it come from? I'd like to think that if I'm feeling attracted then they've got to know it and maybe pick up on it and become attracted to me. But i dont think it actually works that way.
¶ 11:01 PM 1 comments
2.16.2005
In response to my experience tonight...
Can a person be TOO religious or TOO spiritual. Am I a heathen even for wondering? Ok, I'll be more specific about this thought. I'm started wondering about this after I met a Christian who I felt like was too religous/spritual, if there is such a thing. The irony of this is that I've been told that I'm too religious. This person only talked about their faith. Is it wrong to only talk about your faith? It almost seems blasphamous to consider that there is such a thing as being too spiritual. Let me make a critical distinction here though. I think there is a definite different between becoming more spiritual by being conformed more and more to the likeness of Christ, and being spiritual by only talking about faith. I guess that part of this particular person that rubbed me the wrong way was that I couldn't relate to him. We had a love for God in common, but I didn't feel like I could comfortably express it because I wasn't as "spiritual." I think the root of the issue is being able to RELATE to people. This would include asking people questions, talking about things that are not directly related to God, being real about struggle.
I think I'm untrusting with people who are so upfront with their faith. I'm trying to figure out why I feel this way. Maybe its because I feel inadequate in comparison because I want to be more bold about what God is doing. Maybe its because I feel like they are being fake, just spouting out things that sound good, that make them appear good. (Which is a judgemental thing to think) Maybe its because I need to feel like I can relate to someone on common humanity before I trust enough to relate on a spiritual level. Or maybe its all of those, or something else completely. All of the reasons I came up with are pretty lame on my part.
¶ 11:08 PM 0 comments
I think I'm untrusting with people who are so upfront with their faith. I'm trying to figure out why I feel this way. Maybe its because I feel inadequate in comparison because I want to be more bold about what God is doing. Maybe its because I feel like they are being fake, just spouting out things that sound good, that make them appear good. (Which is a judgemental thing to think) Maybe its because I need to feel like I can relate to someone on common humanity before I trust enough to relate on a spiritual level. Or maybe its all of those, or something else completely. All of the reasons I came up with are pretty lame on my part.
¶ 11:08 PM 0 comments
2.15.2005
Answered Prayer
When I first came to Santa Barbara, one of my biggest prayers was that I could have some great friends here. It was difficult to leave my communinty of friends in Northridge, and I still miss the people there. Having close friends is so essential to my spirit and I was really longing for good relationships with people when I started living in Santa Barbara. I was thinking today how God has really answered my prayer. I spent Valentine's day with some of my favorite people - people who are encouraging, fun, uplifting, honest and love God. I am so thankful for all of my friends, and I feel extremely blessed by them.
¶ 11:39 PM 0 comments
2.13.2005
2.10.2005
I Joined a Gym, I talked about God.
I never thought I'd join a gym, but I just did. The rates were low, the location is great, my friends joined too, and the classes look fun. Hopefully I'll actually use the gym regularly. It'll be nice to have weights. The guy I signed up with asked me where I worked, and I told him I worked at a church. We ended up getting into a big conversation about religion & Christianity & faith. I didn't convince him. I think a lot of people might think the same way he does: believes in a higher power, thinks the past aggresions of Christians are lame, associates Christians with Republicans, wants to do good & love others, doesn't buy into the whole "faith" thing, thinks the Bible is false because it was written by people, and wants proof. I wasn't discouraged by our conversation, in fact I was glad to be talking to people OUTSIDE the church about God! Their belief or unbelief is in God's control.
¶ 3:21 PM 1 comments
¶ 3:21 PM 1 comments
2.05.2005
Which one of these is not like the other? You can tell that I'm the one who's not the roommate! And one more thing, I'm so over the club scene. It just seems like everyone there is trying to fill their yearnings - and they'll never fill them all completely in a club. It's all rahter depressing if you ask me. I'll stick to church instead!
¶ 10:07 PM 2 comments
2.03.2005
2.02.2005
Please pray for winter camp
In two weekends, the Jr. High group is going to winter camp. Please pray that we can fill our spots, and that the group that goes would strengthen their walk with God.
¶ 10:01 PM 0 comments
¶ 10:01 PM 0 comments
2.01.2005
Jono & I on the streets of Chicago. A great day with the Ocean Hills staff: worship, the sights of a huge city, bargain shopping, tall buildings, the best dinner, blues jazz club, great laughs, great memories!
¶ 10:42 PM 0 comments
Is it ever OK for Christians to cuss?
**Let me start by saying that sometimes I cuss.** Some Christian friends that I hung out with this weekend in Chicago started talking about cussing. They were saying that in a group of people that they know, feel comfortable with, and who won't be offended, cussing is OK. Among the right group, cussing takes on a different meaning, and therefore is no longer wrong. I didn't agree with their view. My feeling is that curse words are always wrong no matter who you are with. I put it on the same level with something like lying. Lying is wrong - and the context makes little difference, it's always wrong. Do you think that there are times when Christians should cuss? Is it permitable when making a point that "needs" strong language? Is it permitable when trying to make a joke? Is it OK when re-telling a story where someone else cussed? Personally, I don't mind it when non-Christians cuss, or when I hear cussing in a movie. However, it really bothers me when Christians cuss, it darkens my spirit somehow.
¶ 10:19 PM 3 comments
¶ 10:19 PM 3 comments
