Wow last year passed by so quickly, honestly it was a pretty great year, even with a ton of stress and changes.

Highlights of 2011:

• Packers WON the Superbowl!!!
• It was the Year of the Rabbit! (sadly it means I turned 24)
• Got a new job at American Express
• Started going to the gym again
• Gained 10 pounds
• Finished reading 12 books
• Miami Heat lost in the finals
• Started sports blog with friend www.GymClassAllStars.com
• Moved into a new apartment where I have my own room! (thanks to Norman)
• Jesse, Ben, Charles, Andrew Leu (twice) visited NYC =)
• Sister and Brother In-Law bought a new place
• Brother survived half a year in rural China (poor guy)
• Saw tons of growth in my sister’s start up www.shopjoielle.com

Last year I had a few New Years resolutions:

• Read 10 Books
• Get a new job I liked
• Build deeper relationships with my friends
• Start going to the gym again
• Start a sports blog

For the first time I think I can say I actually completed my goals although the third one is kinda up to your own interpretation, since there is no tangible way to measure that. I believed I learned a lot about myself and what I want in life in the year 2011. Finally started getting out more, and my year of solitude I had after graduating came to an end. Looking forward to meeting more people and hanging out more often instead of going straight home and watching TV every night. 

List of books I read in 2011

• Lair’s Poker
• Invitation to Lead
• Crazy Love
• Counterfeit Gods
• Longest Tail
• Dragon of Autumn Twilight (Dragonlace)
• Dragon of Winter Night (Dragonlace)
• Dragon of Spring Dawning (Dragonlace)
• Hunger Games
• Catching Fire (Hunger Games)
• Mockingjay (Hunger Games)
• The Feiner Points of Leadership

Favorite book I read this year was Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller, barely got through the three Dragonlace books, I think it has to do with the fact they were written in the 80s. Most enjoyable read for me was Catching Fire, while I think I learned the most from Feiner Points of Leadership, which was far more than a business book.

Currently reading: Einstein’s Dream 

Looking forward to 2012

I am very excited about this upcoming year. I hope I can continue to build on existing and new relationships moving forward. I also plan on traveling more and taking advantage of being able to work offsite (Chicago, LA, Texas) and maybe go on a real vacation with the family (maybe Spain?). I have been taking my time when it comes to my 2012 resolutions. I want tangible goals, but also goals that challenge me in different ways. I guess over the years I have started and quit many things. My parents would tell you that I have been that way from when I started learning out how to add. My mom was fascinated I never used my fingers while doing addition problems, but after answering many math problems as a little kid my mom started asking me to add numbers with multiple digits and after awhile I refused to answer with the complaint there were “too much numbers” which is still an on going joke in my family. I guess 2011 was a good start where I actually was able to complete my goals I set at the start of the year. I hope by making my resolutions public people can hold me accountable for this upcoming year.

Tangible 2012 Resolutions:

• Read 10 Books
• Complete rough draft of new book I’m writing
• 50 blog posts to GymClassAllStars
• Gain 5 pounds (eat more, workout more)
• Finish painting my Munny(s) (3 left)

Non-tangible 2012 Resolutions:

• Further grow and build my friendships
• Work on my relationship with Jesus
• More confident playing drums
• Improve guitar play through Rocksmith

I guess that is it, Happy New Years everyone, may this year be the best year of your life until 2013 =)

-Caleb 

Colossians 3:1-17,20,23-25

Wow, its been almost a full year since I posted here on tumblr and to be honest I didn’t know if I would restart posting personal daily devos online again. God has really stretched me this past year, like most years I really think this past 12 months have been the hardest of my life. But clearly God’s plan is perfect and whenever I end up questioning it I end up just looking foolish. Working for The Evolution Store was def. not the answered prayer I was looking for. Honestly I was promoting an idea I did not even believe in. To many of my coworkers Christianity was a sign of ignorance and stupidity. But it was here that God gave me the opportunity to learn the needed skills and grow my knowledge in digital marketing that was clearly the main reasons that I was able to find a new opportunity. For everyone that has not graduated from college, my advice is the transition will be hard and the community will be different, but enjoy the hard times because its just part of long roller coaster and you have to slowly climb to the top before the ride really takes off.

The passage I read really had so much so I only posted the verses that apply since I’m not close to being married or having kids. But I think its so important to realize our sins will be punished and that scares me since I know I fall short in so many ways. God clearly calls us to be kind and loving people something I have been trying to be better and over come my selfish and jealous nature. Lastly I know God is calling me to work hard at everything I do, and even if that means promoting a store that might believe in an idea I do not. I remember how nervous I was when I told the boss’ daughter (co-worker) that I did not believe in evolution, but now they know that I was still a hard working Christian who did his best to help the company.

The journey is long… and I have only taken my first steps, but for the first time in a long time I am so excited to see what God has in store for me. I miss you all.

Till next time Caleb.

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

John 14:15-31

This has so much in it and it really makes me think about many things. The holy spirit is with us to comfort us to give us peace to lead us. But i love how Jesus also says that He and God will also make a home in our heart if we love and obey him. I realized over my short life that God really does look out for those who follow him, I pray that i can continue to try to be more obedient and learn more about what it means to love Jesus.

Well week 2 of work is over, things seem to pile up at times and other times i feel like i dont know what i need to be doing, well i think i can say so far this job has been a blessing. 

 ¹⁵“If you love me, you will obey what I command. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— ¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[c] in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.²¹Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

²²Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

 ²³Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

 ²⁵“All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 ²⁸“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, ³¹but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. 
      ”Come now; let us leave.

John 13:1-17

I guess this is our second best example of being humble of course the first is Jesus actually dying on the cross. I hope that if I ever do have a reason to be proud or high in the views of others that i will realize that nothing is of my strength but by the strength and blessings from God. I hope that i will always be willing to wash the feet of others. Maybe not literally wash people’s feet but just to grow a servants heart and learn to love and care for others.

I hope that I can continue to learn that God does call us to love those who don’t appreciate our love or even deserve it because honestly I know i don’t really deserve God’s love pretty sure no one does, yet we are still given so much grace.

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

 ¹It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.^[a]

 ²The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. ³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

 ⁶He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

 ⁷Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

 ⁸“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
      Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

 ⁹“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

 ¹⁰Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

 ¹²When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. ¹³“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

God Bless

Caleb

Psalm 119:73-80

It is always a great reminder that God personally took the time to make me so for all my imperfections there are many strengths God has given me. I hope I may have the wisdom to know what those strengths are and to use them to further grow his kingdom. I hope that I never forget that I was made for a purpose and that God has a great plan for all of us. I hope I can stay faithful to that plan and keep fighting every day to fulfill what God has set out for me to do.

 ⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
       give me understanding to learn your commands.

 ⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
       for I have put my hope in your word.

 ⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
       and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

 ⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
       according to your promise to your servant.

 ⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
       for your law is my delight.

 ⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
       but I will meditate on your precepts.

 ⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
       those who understand your statutes.

 ⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
       that I may not be put to shame.

God Bless

Caleb

Psalm 119:29-56

When I read this many things came to my mind. One that it is ok to expect the Lord to be there for us and it isn’t wrong to ask for God to bless us and be with us. God has really shown me many things over the past few weeks and I def. feel like i have a growing hope for his plans for me. Nothing is perfect and honestly how boring would life be if it was all perfect. I pray that i stand strong in my faith and follow the directions given to me from the Lord. I hope that I may continue to keep having hope in Jesus and really believe in all the promises he has told us.

Some news turns out I will be in Texas in 53 days =) I look forward to seeing you all then.

 ⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
       for you have given me hope.

 ⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this:
       Your promise preserves my life.

 ⁵¹ The arrogant mock me without restraint,
       but I do not turn from your law.

 ⁵² I remember your ancient laws, O LORD,
       and I find comfort in them.

 ⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
       who have forsaken your law.

 ⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song
       wherever I lodge.

 ⁵⁵ In the night I remember your name, O LORD,
       and I will keep your law.

 ⁵⁶ This has been my practice:
       I obey your precepts.

Till tomorrow the best day of our lives so far because it will be the closest day to the return of Jesus.

God Bless

Caleb

Psalm 119:41-48

Thanks God for a solid first week of work the experience has surpassed my expectations. I guess maybe God has much planned for me. I hope things keep going well. I hope that I will continue to praise God during hard times and good times. And that i can keep to his word and follow him. Thanks God for reassuring me in all things through this long summer.

 ⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, 
       your salvation according to your promise;

 ⁴² then I will answer the one who taunts me, 
       for I trust in your word.

 ⁴³ Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, 
       for I have put my hope in your laws.

 ⁴⁴ I will always obey your law, 
       for ever and ever.

 ⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom, 
       for I have sought out your precepts.

 ⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings 
       and will not be put to shame,

 ⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands 
       because I love them.

 ⁴⁸ I lift up my hands to ^[c] your commands, which I love, 
       and I meditate on your decrees.

God Bless

Caleb

Psalm 119:33-40

After reading i realize how this really reflects how i am feeling. I pray that i may stay firm to God’s word and really keep pushing forward so that in return God will keep his promise and lead me in the right direction. Work has been pretty solid so far although my budget wont be that of free spending and the hours aren’t ideal I truly am getting to do things I enjoy and I guess that’s more than most people can say. I think God has really grown me in this process to really try to see the good in different situations and to continue to trust him and stay positive.

Missed posting yesterday… hope i can try and make it up later tonight.

 ³³ Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees;
       then I will keep them to the end.

 ³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
       and obey it with all my heart.

 ³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
       for there I find delight.

 ³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
       and not toward selfish gain.

 ³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
       preserve my life according to your word. ^[b]

 ³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
       so that you may be feared.

 ³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
       for your laws are good.

 ⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
       Preserve my life in your righteousness.

God Bless

Caleb

John 12:37-50

Reading this passage I realized how easy it is to just not believe that Jesus is really the one way to heaven or that all this really has impact on our lives. We truly are a generation of NOW we want everything so quickly that when we are asked to wait and be patient we lose interest. The verse that really stood out to me was ⁴³“for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” Because praise from God is not always tangible nor does it happen right after we do something pleasing to him. I know I love praise from people and I know I struggle in that so I really pray that I can stop wanting to look good in front of others, I realize with my job now I have tons of pride and because its not the exact opportunity i wanted or a job I could boast in I might miss out on what God wants me to learn at this job and the blessings from the job.

I pray that I may humble myself in front of God and those around me and pick up that cross again and just work hard and press forward but let God take control of my direction and the path I take. 

Lastly HAPPY BIRTHDAY KONKY!!! your 21!

 ³⁷Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. ³⁸This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
   ”Lord, who has believed our message
      and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”^[g]

 ³⁹For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
 ⁴⁰“He has blinded their eyes
      and deadened their hearts,
   so they can neither see with their eyes,
      nor understand with their hearts,
      nor turn—and I would heal them.”^[h]41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

 ⁴²Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

 ⁴⁴Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. ⁴⁵When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. ⁴⁶I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

 ⁴⁷“As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it. ⁴⁸There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. ⁴⁹For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. ⁵⁰I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

God Bless

Caleb

John 11:38-44

Well miss another day of posting… but did spend a good amount of time with my parents and church was relaxing as always.

I guess reading this passage I realize how small my faith is, when things don’t go my way I usually just give in and move on and don’t expect God to have the power to change my situation. Well going to work today I feel pretty nervous and like I’ve said before I really don’t know if this is the job I want but i guess I need to trust that God has a reason for me at this job and that I must go in with a positive outlook. Have faith, faith that if God wanted to he could bring someone back from the day kinda faith.

well hope I remember to post tomorrow.

 ³⁸Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹“Take away the stone,” he said.
      ”But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

 ⁴⁰Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

 ⁴¹So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴²I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

 ⁴³When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
      Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

God bless

Caleb