We want to be happy, God wants us to be happy, so what’s the big deal?
Sometimes we go through life wanting things and thinking it will make us happy. And for the time being it may. When I was small, I remember going through the grocery store thinking “Oh man, I want those Chocolate Cocoa Puffs. If only I had those I would be so happy.” Thinking that a certain cereal would truly make me happy, I did not see past it and realize that although it might temporarily improve my life, it’s not lasting. In the movie Bruce Almighty, Bruce is asking God why people aren’t happy even though they are getting everything they want, to which God replies “Since when do people know what they really want?” God is the only one who knows what will really make us happy. And it can only be found in Him. But that’s not to say that we can’t enjoy Chocolate Cocoa Puffs or the like, it’s just that we have to realize that it’s not the one thing that will give us what we need. The only thing that can do that is our relationship with God, and we probably can’t experience the biggest part of it until we meet with Him once we leave this world. It’s that one desire that cannot be filled by earthly things, no matter how good those things might be. However, once we do realize that only God can give us what we truly need, it is much easier to enjoy the other things He has given us in this life on the level they were meant to be enjoyed. God does want us to be happy, and knows what we really need. If we let him, He will give it to us…but if we put what He has given to us before Him…we lose the reason we had it in the first place. It’s not meant to replace God, but to supplement Him. True happiness can only be found if God is kept first and His gifts to us be remembered as gifts from God.

I love the way a simple touch from her
will warm my entire body
I love how her smile
can instantly melt my heart

I love the way she selflessly
gives herself for others
I love how her voice
can instanly calm me down

I wish she could see
just how beautiful she is to me
from her gorgeous smile
to her shining soul
my breath it takes
it’s beyond control

I love the way her eyes
stare straight into my soul
I love how lucky I feel
whenever she is near

I love the way her presence
keeps me wanting more
I love how beautifully she shines from inside
I know there’s more in store

I wish she could see
just how beautiful she is to me
from her gorgeous smile
to her shining soul
my breath it takes
it’s beyond control

For the last while, Kim has been talking to me about living simply. It’s an awesome concept to which I hope I am strong enough to go through with. While reading through some stuff online, I came across a list of quotes people have found that fits in very well with this. Take a look:

1. “The amount of a man’s wealth consists in
   the number of things he can do without.”
   —Ralph Waldo Emerson.
2. “The best way to live happily ever after is
   not be after too much.” —Anonymous.
3. “Desire is like a river. As long as it flows
   within the banks of God’s will — be the
   current strong or weak — all is well. But
   when it flows over those boundaries and
   seeks other channels, then disaster lurks in
   the rampage.” —James Dobson, Sr.
4. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall
   gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
   —Jesus, Mark 8:36, Kjv.
5. “The only thing you can take to heaven with
   you is your children (and others you have told
   about Christ).” —Anonymous.
6. “The love of money is the root of all evil.”
   —1 Timothy6:10, Kjv
7. “The greatest secret of life is to spend it on
   something that will outlast it.”
   —Anonymous.
8. “God is entitled to a portion of our income,
   not because He needs, but because we need
   to give it.” —James Dobson, Jr.
9. “Why spend your money on foodstuffs that
   don’t give you strength? Why pay for groceries
   that don’t do you any good? Listen and I’ll tell
   you where to get good food that fattens up the
   soul!” —Isaiah 55:2, TLB.
10. “But they that will be rich fall into
    temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
    and hurtful lusts, which drown men in
    destruction and perdition.” —1 Timothy
    6:9, Kjv.
11. “Such is the human race. Often it does
    seem a pity that Noah and his party didn’t
    miss the boat.” —Mark Twain.
12. “A person brings nothing into this world,
    and takes nothing out of it. Considering the
    kind of world it is, he’s lucky to break even.”
    —Anonymous.
13. There are said to be seven ages of
    man.
    First age: A child sees the earth.
    Second age: He wants it.
    Third age: He hustles to get it.
    Fourth age: He decides to be satisfied with
    about half of it.
    Fifth age: He would be satisfied with less than
    half of it.
    Sixth age: He is now content to possess a two
    by six foot section of it.
    Seventh age: He gets it.
    —Anonymous
14. Lee Iacocca is reported to have said that
    he has never seen a businessman say at his
    retirement that he wished he had spent more
    time in his work. It is his family that is finally
    seen as most important.
15. “I have concluded that the accumulation of
    wealth, even if I could achieve it, is an
    insufficient reason for living. When I reach the
    end of my days, a moment or two from now, I
    must look backward on something more
    meaningful than the pursuit of houses and
    land and machines and stocks and bonds.
    Nor is fame of any lasting benefit. I will
    consider my earthly existence to have been
    wasted unless I can recall a loving family, a
    consistent investment in the lives of people,
    and an earnest attempt to serve the God who
    made me. Nothing else makes much sense.”
    —James Dobson, Jr., What Wives
    Wish Their Husbands Knew About
    Women.

WOO!!
After four semesters of NAIT, I’ve finally completed my course. I wrote my last exam today, and assuming I’ve passed all my exams, I’m finished with post-secondary education!! So in about a month I’ll get my diploma in Computer Systems Technology mailed to me (assuming NAIT is organized enough to do it that fast). Go TEAM!! And tomorrow I’m off to Saskatoon for 10 days to spend some good time with family, friends, and the most wonderful girl in the world. I don’t think it’s all really sunk in quite yet, but I’m SOOOO excited about tomorrow!

Right away
I felt your pull
bringing me closer
wanting me to come home

I get so high
I cannot recognize
the troubles that appear
seem so far away

This love is holding me
Keeping me alive
Leading me home
This love is grand

So close
I hear your call
guiding me forward
asking me to come home

I’m filled with joy
I worry not
for troubles around me
seem so far away

This love is holding me
Keeping me alive
Leading me home
This love is grand