System Requirements:

Being single has its pros and cons, but this is not a rant about either. What has more cons (seemingly) than pros is leaving a college that stereotypically assigns you a spouse upon graduation without the aforementioned attachment.

What I don't want to do is become "That Intern." You know what I mean if you're a BBC student, past or present. That intern who comes back from their internship and cunningly lures a bedazzled, starry-eyed freshman with charming stories of heroic ministerial feats and tales of personal holiness. It's like a mind game... so for today's lesson, we'll call this tactic The Head Shot.

If The Head Shot it were a mathematic equation, it'd look something like this: Student (X) is seeking the perfect wo/man (7) as a partner in ministry (1 = X + 7). Returning intern (Y) is looking for a cut in the action (3.1415) because of the nagging fear that BBC is the end of the marital line (Y + 7= 3.1415) What happens in The Head Shot is this: X(-6) + Y (-3.8685) does not = 1 or 3.1415.... it turns out to be a greater negative than either party is looking for.

I say all of this to help both returning interns and fellow classmen (upper and lower) keep things in perspective. It isn't bad to come back and find someone who you may have overlooked or find chemistry in a place least expected, but it is helpful to know what you want, not settling for what you've convinced yourself that you need. I say this to myself as well.

Last night I had a good talk with a dear friend on this topic. I confessed that I am at a place in my life where I don't want to fuss with the games of dating; I'd rather have a wife than a girlfriend. Yes, I know - baby steps - and they will be, but I'm not dating around just for the sake of filling a void. I've had plenty of time to think about this and much like a piece of software has it's requirements, so do I. Let me give you an example:

- Random Sense of humor: This girl must have the ability to participate in things that make no logical sense. Such as me showing up at the door, tagging her, and yell "YOU'RE IT!" as I run away in anticipation/execution of pursuit.

- In addendum to that requirement, she has to think that I am funny… enough said on that one.

- This may sound ridiculously shallow, but she has to be cute. It’s more than simple physical attraction – it’s an attitude, a certain quirkiness, or set of idiosyncrasy. If we were all honest, we’d all admit that we are looking for someone we’re attracted to physically.

- She has to love Jesus like nothing else.

- Music: similar loves in music (i.e. must has an appreciation for Five Iron Frenzy), an ear for it, and an understanding/ love of guitars… not to mention the ability to hold her own in a mosh pit.

- Must have a sense of adventure…

Not sure where I'm going with this, but I'm pretty sure I'd like to find that 7 = 1, not another X.

Good Idea, Bad Idea:

I grew up on the Animaniacs. I loved them! Good old Wacko, Yacko, and Dot would take time out of the show occassionally to do a spot called “Good Idea, Bad Idea.” They were usually pretty far fetched, but I have discovered lately that I have a wealth of good/bad ideas which are 100% factual, most of which have been executed... and admittedly based off of my own experience.

Good Idea: Waking up to music
Bad Idea: Waking up to Scream-o

Good Idea: Jumping over an extension cord so that you don’t trip over it
Bad Idea: Jumping into a door frame and blacking out while attempt to jump over an extention cord so that you don’t trip over it.

Good Idea: Closing the van door
Bad Idea: Closing your thumb in the locked van door

Good Idea: Games involving pool noodles and blindfolds
Bad Idea: Games involving pool noodles duct taped around 3/4 inch PVC pipe and blindfolds.

Good Idea: Video games
Bad Idea: ...... can’t find anything wrong with that

Good Idea: Using pudding to make a crazy video
Bad Idea: Almost losing your finger to the pudding can lid

Good Idea: Higher education
Bad Idea: Morning classes

Good Idea: Taking a walk outside
Bad Idea: Taking a walk in the middle of winter, outside, in Canada.... in a t-shirt.

Good Idea: Dying your hair
Bad Idea: Not paying attention to the color your hair is being dyed

Good Idea: Fun with shopping carts
Bad Idea: Fun with shopping carts, hills, intersections, asphalt, and elbows.

Good Idea: Dodgeball
Bad Idea: Dodgeball with rocks

Raising the Standard:

In my previous post, I did say that I am working on my cynicism and if it comes out here, I apologize. However, I feel the need to rant. Please keep in mind that I do not claim personal perfect, this is merely a reflection of what I've seen.

Upon entering this college, I signed a covenant contract to abide by the rules of this institution. Along with me, every student did the same thing. We all promised to follow the guidelines of the school (i.e. curfew, not doing laundry on Sunday, etc.), yet I have seen time and time again that people who are living in complete juxtaposition to that covenant are exalted as pillars and fine examples of the school. They serve as student council, worship leaders, summer team members, and the list goes on.

Why am I the only one that sees it? Moreover, why can't the school see what is right in front of their eyes? I feel like discipline that happens here is selective. I can't tell you how many times I've been talked to about my hair, yet inappropriate relationships go unchecked and are allowed to spiral into a glorious mushroom cloud before the cheering masses.

And what of grace? Grace makes these situations unfair because I would love nothing more than vindication -yet it's not for me to wish. Grace can only be receive though when it's sought after. God has a wealth of grace for the sinner who humbles himself and seeks it...but what about those who don't?

I'm wrestling with this because I want to believe in this school. I want to believe that there is still some good that happens. It is difficult to see when what is just and fair takes the back seat to what looks and sounds good. Forgive my honesty, but I feel like authoring my own psalm of deliverance from this one. I think it'd go something like this:

Oh Lord, you see everything;
Nothing is hidden from your sight.
When I begin my day you are there in the sunrise;
When I lay my head down you see the visions of my rest.

Oh Lord, you see everything;
Nothing is hidden from your sight.
You see the sinful hearts of men;
You reveal his darkest qualities with your justice.

But Lord, though you see all;
Men who can make right sit idle.
The overseer ties his own blindfold;
He obstructs his own vision so that he may be glorified

God of Justice, I pray for vindication;
Before you throne, I seek Your perfect ruling.
Take from my hands the gavel which would call down fire;
From my heart remove all desires to see Your wrath poured out.

Man seeks vanity in his toil to exalt you,
While he opens his mouth to utter Your praises.
He puts his hand to the plow claiming full tithe,
But secretly stores away the harvest

Oh Lord, you see everything;
Nothing is hidden from Your sight.
Make known the motives of men,
Bring into Your holy light that Your justice may be known.

"And if you die before you wake, I'll pray the Lord your not a fake." - Reggie and the Full Effect