[story]

this one doesn't have a contrasting title, because i don't think [words] can describe what i have to say...

i have been working at a younglife camp since the beginning of june in hillsdale, michigan, at a camp called [michindoh]. i'm on the music team, as well as one of the four people who tell their life-story in front of all 250+ kids every week for an event known as lifesigns. it is the hope of those running camp that by us telling [our story] that the kids can relate and realize that [their story] is really just part of the [big story], and that they are not alone.

i've been completely taken aback by this experience.

as part of our assignment, we greet every single camper and leader as they get off the bus (there were 308 this week). we give each and every one of them a high five or a hug as they get off the bus and start at the camp welcome. i saw every single camper get off that bus and walk into a place where, for the first time, some of them had

• walls broken down
• the [truth] poured into them
• been told for the first time that someone LOVES them.

throughout this week, i've had several campers and leaders come up to me and tell me about their lives; about the emotional pain they feel, the sense of hopelessness that they have inside.

its hard.

it really is hard.

i remember being at that point of helplessness, where trapped between reality and madness there was only room for heartache. never in a million years could you have told me that, five years ago, in the pit of my own despair, would i ever have the opportunity to tell my [story].

if you are reading this, know that you are not alone.

there is a GOD out there who cares for you, who wants to know you.

its not about [my story] or [your story] or [anybody's story].

its about [HIS story]

and in his ending, you are the winner.

always winning,

-J

contrast [unknown/undiscovered]

okay, let's be real.

i could be writing this for my eyes only. i don't expect a mass following or deep philosophical conversations to arise from this blog, nor do i expect that it will hold my interest for more than two weeks. but out of summer boredom, humor me, will you?

the(intended)purpose of this blog is to chart out a map of the unknown. not what is undiscovered, but what has no definite answers. i want to look at black and white issues, and see if there really are more shades of gray to them; how contrasting issues are really(not so)different. in truth, i could be totally barking up the wrong tree on some(or all)of this.

some of these posts will undoubtably have nothing to do with contrast. some of them will be issues that i have a deep opinion on (like God), and others will probably just be random musings of a college student's mind. i want to be real about it up front.

and again, if you are not drawn in by this post and never want to come back, i don't blame you. i'm barely holding my own attention at this point.

in His grip,

j