I'm thinking about changing the name of my blog to "A month in the life of Nathaniel Herndon" because thats what its looking like right now. For those of you who don't know or didn't get the facebook invite today is "National Nate Herndon Day." Declared by one of the freshman guys who has been coming to YoungLife this year. It has a total of 14 attendees, I had to invite myself. Today is kind of a gloomy day so of course I am sitting on the couch listening to Norah Jones watching the rain outside.
On Monday I think it is safe to say we had one of our better clubs of the year! We had our First Annual ThugLife club. We only had one person who pulled a knife on another kid during the "Thug Off", besides this minor incident club went off without a hitch. IT WAS SO FUN! and encouraging, and refreshing. Jesus showed up big time in that room. I have been so blessed to be a part of Watauga YoungLife for the past 3 years and be able to speak truth into my high school friends lives. Monday was my last talk for the foreseeable future at Watauga. It was hard preparing for it because every time I sat down to work on it I would get emotional and there was so much to say. I put a lot of hours into preparing and finally I just let it go, I knew what I wanted to say and I just left it up to the Lord to speak through me exactly what he wanted me to say. I held myself together until the very end, I didn't cry but i was definitely on the verge of it. I have never had any of the kids text me or anything after a talk but that night I got a couple texts and facebook messages about my talk! I hope and pray that they understood and walked away from it with something.
Yesterday (Tuesday) I took an extremely long nap after my classes. I was planning on going to the high school but I slept through it... So instead I went to the Greenway and just walked by myself. It was a beautiful day and it was a great time to reflect. I've had a lot on my mind the passed couple days but yesterday I felt a peace about it all. I just enjoyed being in the Lords creation and being around other people who were delighting in his creation, even if they weren't aware thats what they were doing. One thing that happened while I was there was.... There was this little boy on his bike trying to make it up a hill that proved to be a little more than expertise could handle. So being in an extremely good mood I asked him if he needed help and was going to give him a push. As soon as I put my hand on his back he started crying. So I quickly passed the task off to his mom, smiled, and walked away.
I feel like my life is coming together, or at least my life for the near future. I accepted a job at Diamond Creek this summer being a caddie. Hopefully I'll be able to pay off my car and save a little money. After the summer I've got a couple options I'm leaving it up to the Lord and letting him either work them out or shut the door on them. Whoop Whoop
I was reading my book "Let Me Tell You a Story" by Tony Campolo. He was talking about forgiveness and how the reason people don't receive forgiveness is because they never ask for it whether because of pride or anything else. Its kind of true, sometimes I would much rather hold a grudge then to ask for forgiveness, I look out instead of looking in. Maybe there's something I've done that is making the other person act the way they are acting. Another hard thing with forgiveness is after you've offered it, it needs to be over. Think about what it would be like if every time we messed up if Jesus called back all the sins we had been "forgiven" for. That is not forgiveness, he chooses to forget. If I am to be an imitator of Christ should I strive to forgive as he forgives? Just a thought. and here's a relevant video...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Go Big or Go Home
Funny how when I stop to think about my day I can see the Lords Hands all over it. I need to make it more of a point to stop and acknowledge his presence.
This morning I had breakfast with Chip. We meet once a week and just talk about what's going on, we read through a couple books. It's a mentor sort of deal, he is able to speak truth into my life and help me process things, he is so wise. But this morning he was running late so I had 30 minutes to read my bible and pray. It turned out to be really good for me to sit and pray (usually is...). But while I was praying my stomach was growling a lot and very loudly. I kept thinking about how I wanted two bagels instead of one. The problem with getting two bagels is that Chip always pays so I would have felt bad ordering two... So let me tell you about the Lords provision; when home girl was putting my bagel through the toaster half of it fell on the floor! So she made another bagel and gave me the half with it! It was the perfect amount of food for me.
Tonight I was walking home from team time in the dark. I saw my shadow and I began to think about what a pretty big guy I am... As I walked and as I was thinking about how big I am, I stood up straighter and had a sense of pride. Most people don't want to mess with a guy who is 6' 5' 230 pounds. As I was feeling a sense of pride I felt an even bigger presence behind me, I really felt like it was the Lord walking behind me. It was then that I realized how much bigger God is than me. My Confidence should not be in myself and my own accomplishments; my confidence should rest in the Lord behind me. It is his presence that allows me to walk upright. As big as I am or think I am, I am nothing without the presence of the Lord. As I was thinking through all of this a street light came on above me and lit up the street. This was an awesome picture reminding me that He is the one that lights my path and only when I am walking in step with Him will He show me the way. In Him should I boast, not of my own strength or wisdom. He will light my path and show me the way.
When I got home I had a couple of facebook messages. One of which was from one of my high school guys. He sent it to a bunch of the other guys from YoungLife encouraging them to come to my campaigners. It was SO cool! Home boy stepped up with out me asking him to and took ownership of campaigners. It showed me that he really does appreciate what I'm doing, he gets it! He sees the bigger picture, he knows its more than club! Its about JESUS! I'd be lying if I said it didn't bring a tear to my eye... Over lunch I was asking Adam if he felt like we were really making a difference in the high school. Its a question I've been thinking about a lot lately As I am finishing up my time in the ministry I was to leave a legacy behind, I want to have made a difference. Home boys message reminded me and showed me that I have had an impact.
Sometimes I tend to get excited about things and when I do I want to share them with the people around me. It is so much more fun to share things you enjoy with the people around you then to simply enjoy them by yourself. It gives it so much more meaning. A lot of times I would rather give something to someone and watch them enjoy it rather than having it for myself. But if the person you give the gift to doesn't receive it, it sort of takes the joy out of giving. The joy from giving gifts comes from the excitement of the recipient. You want them to enjoy the item or experience as much as you.
Today look for the Lords presence in your life. Challenge him to show up. And when he does... Take note of it, write it down, and thank Him for it.
This morning I had breakfast with Chip. We meet once a week and just talk about what's going on, we read through a couple books. It's a mentor sort of deal, he is able to speak truth into my life and help me process things, he is so wise. But this morning he was running late so I had 30 minutes to read my bible and pray. It turned out to be really good for me to sit and pray (usually is...). But while I was praying my stomach was growling a lot and very loudly. I kept thinking about how I wanted two bagels instead of one. The problem with getting two bagels is that Chip always pays so I would have felt bad ordering two... So let me tell you about the Lords provision; when home girl was putting my bagel through the toaster half of it fell on the floor! So she made another bagel and gave me the half with it! It was the perfect amount of food for me.
Tonight I was walking home from team time in the dark. I saw my shadow and I began to think about what a pretty big guy I am... As I walked and as I was thinking about how big I am, I stood up straighter and had a sense of pride. Most people don't want to mess with a guy who is 6' 5' 230 pounds. As I was feeling a sense of pride I felt an even bigger presence behind me, I really felt like it was the Lord walking behind me. It was then that I realized how much bigger God is than me. My Confidence should not be in myself and my own accomplishments; my confidence should rest in the Lord behind me. It is his presence that allows me to walk upright. As big as I am or think I am, I am nothing without the presence of the Lord. As I was thinking through all of this a street light came on above me and lit up the street. This was an awesome picture reminding me that He is the one that lights my path and only when I am walking in step with Him will He show me the way. In Him should I boast, not of my own strength or wisdom. He will light my path and show me the way.
When I got home I had a couple of facebook messages. One of which was from one of my high school guys. He sent it to a bunch of the other guys from YoungLife encouraging them to come to my campaigners. It was SO cool! Home boy stepped up with out me asking him to and took ownership of campaigners. It showed me that he really does appreciate what I'm doing, he gets it! He sees the bigger picture, he knows its more than club! Its about JESUS! I'd be lying if I said it didn't bring a tear to my eye... Over lunch I was asking Adam if he felt like we were really making a difference in the high school. Its a question I've been thinking about a lot lately As I am finishing up my time in the ministry I was to leave a legacy behind, I want to have made a difference. Home boys message reminded me and showed me that I have had an impact.
Sometimes I tend to get excited about things and when I do I want to share them with the people around me. It is so much more fun to share things you enjoy with the people around you then to simply enjoy them by yourself. It gives it so much more meaning. A lot of times I would rather give something to someone and watch them enjoy it rather than having it for myself. But if the person you give the gift to doesn't receive it, it sort of takes the joy out of giving. The joy from giving gifts comes from the excitement of the recipient. You want them to enjoy the item or experience as much as you.
Today look for the Lords presence in your life. Challenge him to show up. And when he does... Take note of it, write it down, and thank Him for it.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Where is my story taking me?!
So its been a while since I had my last post. It's not that I haven't had anything to say its just been extremely busy! I just finished the book I have been reading, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. In this book Donald Miller talks a lot about our lives as a story, and asks what kind of story we are living. I want my story to mean something! I want there to be adventure, I don't want to fit into a mold, I want to stand out. The Lord has something so wonderful planned for me, all I need is to take a step in faith and seek his will as he reveals it to me step by step.
I've been learning a lot about myself and who I am in the Lord. I want what he wants for me, what he has planned for me. I want things so big that if he doesn't show up it won't happen. I want so much more than anything I could ever imagine for myself, I want what only the Lord can plan for me. I want him to be glorified in all parts of my life, I don't want to seek things for my glory but for the Lords. I want him to stretch me and show me who he is in ways that I've never seen before.
As I try to figure out the rest of my life it has been hard to let go of my ideas of what my life needs to look like. If you would have asked me when I was a freshman what my life would look like when I was about to graduate I would have said something along the lines of I would be in a serious relationship, have a job lined up, and I would be starting my adult life off. Come to find out that wasn't what the Lord had in mind for me. As I consider the World Race it has been becoming more and more scary, i don't why but I've been feeling a lot of pressure and unrest. It sounds great and I know it would be a huge experience. It would shake my world up and show me things I have never been exposed to. Its scary for me to think about being away for that amount of time. I am taking the steps that I need to take and I trust that if this is not what the Lord wants me to be doing then He will close the door and open other doors.
My parents are putting a lot of pressure on my to get a job. And I really want to get a job and get started with my career. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done, especially if I am going to be out of the country for a year. I have a couple options but they aren't the kind of jobs I will be able to only work at for a couple months. Right now I need a push in some direction. In Donald Millers book he says characters are reluctant to take the first step into a bigger story because they know its going to be hard. Well thats where I am. I know what I want I just don't know the first step I need to take to attain any of my goals. And I have the feeling that I am being passed by. What do I do? Why is this so hard?!
I do know that there is a plan for my life. And even though I may not be able to see it, it is there. The Lord has plans of good and plans to prosper me. I am leaning on that promise as I enter this stage of my life. Whatever he has for my I know is far better than anything I have planned for myself. I pray His peace over my life and I trust the He will guide my steps as I align myself with him.
I've been learning a lot about myself and who I am in the Lord. I want what he wants for me, what he has planned for me. I want things so big that if he doesn't show up it won't happen. I want so much more than anything I could ever imagine for myself, I want what only the Lord can plan for me. I want him to be glorified in all parts of my life, I don't want to seek things for my glory but for the Lords. I want him to stretch me and show me who he is in ways that I've never seen before.
As I try to figure out the rest of my life it has been hard to let go of my ideas of what my life needs to look like. If you would have asked me when I was a freshman what my life would look like when I was about to graduate I would have said something along the lines of I would be in a serious relationship, have a job lined up, and I would be starting my adult life off. Come to find out that wasn't what the Lord had in mind for me. As I consider the World Race it has been becoming more and more scary, i don't why but I've been feeling a lot of pressure and unrest. It sounds great and I know it would be a huge experience. It would shake my world up and show me things I have never been exposed to. Its scary for me to think about being away for that amount of time. I am taking the steps that I need to take and I trust that if this is not what the Lord wants me to be doing then He will close the door and open other doors.
My parents are putting a lot of pressure on my to get a job. And I really want to get a job and get started with my career. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done, especially if I am going to be out of the country for a year. I have a couple options but they aren't the kind of jobs I will be able to only work at for a couple months. Right now I need a push in some direction. In Donald Millers book he says characters are reluctant to take the first step into a bigger story because they know its going to be hard. Well thats where I am. I know what I want I just don't know the first step I need to take to attain any of my goals. And I have the feeling that I am being passed by. What do I do? Why is this so hard?!
I do know that there is a plan for my life. And even though I may not be able to see it, it is there. The Lord has plans of good and plans to prosper me. I am leaning on that promise as I enter this stage of my life. Whatever he has for my I know is far better than anything I have planned for myself. I pray His peace over my life and I trust the He will guide my steps as I align myself with him.
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