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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:38:07 GMT

Looking Back Through 2008

This might be nearly a month late, but wow, it’s 2009! Last January I posted my first year in review, and it’s nice to have something to go back and look at after a year’s time. This time around, I’m going to arrange my thoughts chronologically instead of by facets of life. Here are the highlights of 2008.

January 2008

January’s theme was new beginnings.

I started the year with a new Bible (ESV single-column reference); I had always wanted a single-column Bible, just for the look of paragraph prose spanning entire pages like a novel rather than newsprint! (However, later in the year I purchased the new ESV Study Bible, which I immediately began using regularly).

January was also the first time I saw Phil Wickham live or even heard his stuff. Since then, I’ve seen him in concert again, purchased his music, and even lead his songs regularly at church. The music ministry at church also started up a biweekly jam session, through which we train prospective musicians in the art of playing in a band. It has been really productive over the course of its first year; some of our meetings have up to 16 people in attendance, and it’s always a lot of fun!

And I started moisturizing regularly. The girls would be proud.

February 2008

February was marked by abundant and unexpected blessings.

I got a raise at work! That was significant and even brought more joy to my work.

I was also given a clean bill of health at a screening for my health insurance. All tests came out normal or excellent, or in the case of body fat percentage, off the charts (the nurse thought the machine was broken before she realized that it just couldn’t register that low of a range).

Buddy and I attended the Worship Central conference at Rock Harbor, featuring Tim Hughes. It was so profitable and eye-opening that we resolved to bring the rest of the music team along to the next conference, and we did (see September).

March 2008

The theme of March was significant change.

Jonas spearheaded major AV upgrades at church. The new system has a subwoofer, separate stage monitor mixes, and more acoustic control over the drum set. The subwoofer makes it THAT much more fun to play; being able to feel the music is great!

The goal of a musically excellent song set for Resurrection Sunday service led our worship band to conduct six nights of music team practices (over the course of two months) to perfect an upbeat, uplifting, and passionate musical worship for that morning. Such an effort and commitment to practice had never been realized before among the English worship band. And the response to that worship service was overwhelming, which set a new standard for us as musicians. May we skillfully set a stage of excellent and undistracting instrumentation for the praise and glory of Jesus Christ from the lips and hearts of His children!

But the biggest change in my life (and most emotionally and spiritually trying period of 2008) was the mutual decision in March to cut off one of my deepest friendships for the sake of emotional purity. With Steph removed from my life, the following four months were a great personal trial, and it was a time of significant growth in terms of faith and contentment in God and His sovereign will.

April 2008

But God provided April as a time of retreat and renewal.

My solo trip to London was a sovereignly-timed cathartic experience to renew my trust in the Lord and to take my mind off of my immediate emotional distress. To celebrate my oldest cousin Francis’ 40th birthday (as the extended family’s representative from the States) and to spend time and share my faith with my beloved cousin Camille and her boyfriend Alex were indeed two very rewarding and memorable parts of my time in England.

May 2008

In May, fun and excitement prevailed.

Doreen and Roland got engaged. We had a 2005-6 small group reunion at UCLA. Then, in one of the craziest trips of the year, Grace, Lynnette, and I went on a whirlwind two-overnighter Megabus adventure to Berkeley for Crystal’s graduation, leaving after church Friday night and arriving home in time for church Sunday morning.

June 2008

June was just plain busy.

The hallmark example of June’s craziness would be the 21st, when I attended (and photographed) two weddings back-to-back. It was intensely fun and exhilarating, but exhausting.

Family Camp concluded the month, at which I again led worship at all six sessions. Preparation for that, as usual, was quite time-consuming, although the timing only allowed the band a couple practices beforehand. I praise God for the proficiency of the team, with the addition of Stephanie Chan as flautist, Crystal on the keyboard, and my mom providing Chinese translation. It was a blessing to serve with the team we had, and an answer to prayer!

July 2008

I’ll never forget July as being the most significant part of my year because of missions.

Malaysia was definitely the highlight of 2008. There’s so much to say about the trip that one paragraph could not do justice to our experience. But simply put: For Jeff, Grace, Crystal, Lynnette, and myself, it was a privilege to be a part of local ministry in Penang for a short time, meeting the students there and seeing their Christlike, selfless love for one another in their community. It was also a joy to serve them and serve alongside them, and to mutually encourage one another in faith. God is certainly doing wonderful work there, and I cannot wait to return this year, Lord willing.

August 2008

Looking back, August looks like it was just a month of random social activity, but perhaps the underlying theme is rekindling friendships.

I went up north for Roger’s wedding (and caught up with many UCLA friends), had a dinner potluck with my closest college friends (the Row), had various one-on-one lunches, dinners, and late night yogurt hangouts to catch up with other old friends, some of whom had just returned to Orange County after graduation for work, like Melissa. And after our time apart, Steph and I began to reconnect once more, only with greater caution and wariness.

Other exciting things in August: the Olympics, buying my first acoustic guitar, and assisting my friend Tim Park at another wedding. (I haven’t mentioned above, but throughout 2008 I had many opportunities to shoot with Tim at a variety of events. They’re always fun, and it’s a joy to shoot together or assist him!)

September 2008

Although I’m out of school, September is still always the beginning of a new church year.

In September, ROCK welcomed its largest incoming freshman class in recent memory. Attendance at our college fellowship this school year has averaged in maybe the upper 20’s, in stark contrast to just three years ago when it was just six or eight people! I love the students and enjoy spending time with them, teaching, and sharing in fellowship.

The music team also attended a worship conference/training seminar, which renewed the enthusiasm and passion of our musicians. We kicked off the new church year desiring a stronger gospel focus in our worship, and a passion for excellence in our ministry. Together we long for the worship of Jesus Christ by His people.

October 2008

The highlight of October was my blast-from-the-past weekend in LA. I had the opportunity to shoot a wedding for an old UCLA/GOC friend, which was great! But that also allowed me to spend the night back in Westwood, where I was blessed with the chance to not only meet up with our ROCK Bruins, but also to catch up with Peter (who was also visiting from the East Coast) and spend more personal time with Daniel, Jessica, and Steph. Visiting Grace on Campus, Grace Community Church, and Crossroads added to the nostalgia of my college life in Westwood.

November 2008

November was all about family.

Doreen and Roland got married, and that was quite an event! But the biggest blessing from the wedding (aside from getting a new brother-in-law) was the time spent with the extended family, particularly the cousins on my mom’s side. Before the wedding, on the wedding day (serving alongside them), and the week after (family trip to Big Bear), I was able to sit down with nearly each of my little cousins and connect with them on a level I never have before. Instead of goofing around and entertaining ourselves with games, I instead was able to catch almost all of them one-on-one and talk about church, faith, and their spiritual lives. It brings me so much joy, now that we’re all older, to be able to share openly and maturely about such things, especially to be an encouragement to my high school and college age cousins! As for my older cousins… bringing Francis (see April 2008) to Disneyland is something we both will never forget.

December 2008

December was seriously bipolar. The first theme would easily be PAR-TAY!

Five nights in a row of Christmas parties and potlucks, two weekends in a row of Christmas concerts, going to the Grace Church program twice in one year, and purchasing Sprinkles cupcakes three times in two weeks for said events… craziness!

Another highlight to end the year was ROCK Winter Camp, which had the largest attendance in recent memory. The theme was “wisdom living,” and having my friends Ben and Leah there as our speaker was definitely my joy. I was glad for our students to meet my college friends, and for my dear friends to partake in the ministry I’m a part of. The intersection of these two worlds of mine was nothing short of a blessing.

But the second overarching theme of December was a more somber trial: wrestling with seeking and submitting to God’s will.

The last half of December was a time of spiritual and emotional struggle as Steph and I again reached the same crossroads we had reached many times before regarding our relationship. We individually spent the winter break in deep prayer and petition, seeking spiritual counsel from parents, mentors, and Scripture. But this time around, instead of being filled with fear, selfish desire, and uncertainty, as in March, this was actually a time of great peace, comfort, and contentment as we committed our relationship together into God’s hands.

Conclusion

The year 2008 was a time of great highs and deep lows, but of phenomenal spiritual blessing and amazing spiritual growth. It was surely an unforgettable year, with major overseas trips and my sister’s wedding. And just like last year, I’ve seen God bless both the college (fellowship and Sunday School) and worship ministries at church. Looking back, this year is certainly a testament to His faithfulness. To Him be all glory and honor and praise!

Epilogue:

Your reward for making it to the end of this 1900-word post is my forthrightness regarding the open-ended relational issues I mentioned under March, August, and December. But it’s actually 2009 news, since we made our decision in January: Steph and I are now officially in a courtship; that is, we are together prayerfully and intentionally considering future marriage and seeking the Lord’s will in that regard. In the meantime, we view this courtship period as a time of preparation for such a level of commitment and intimacy, as we are grown to fulfill our God-ordained roles of Biblical headship and submission, should God ultimately bring us together in marriage. For simplicity, you may say that we’re dating.

And thus the year begins anew. I’d call that an exciting start to the new year! I can’t imagine what God has in store for 2009!

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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:33:19 GMT

How Did They Know?

Yesterday, while bored and discussing movies with a friend, I thought to myself, “I really feel like re-watching Gattaca right now. Too bad it’s not one of Hulu’s (NBC/Fox) free streaming movies.”

Then today I’m searching through Sling, and guess what: Hulu added Gattaca to their archives… yesterday.

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:23:33 GMT

An Open Letter To Worship Team

Wow. What kind of crazy people would be willing to wake up at 7:00am and not arrive back home until 10:30pm, dedicating their whole Saturday to an all-day seminar and then some?

THIRTEEN members of the worship team, that’s who! Only the most enthusiastic group would voluntarily spend 9 hours in a worship conference, only to decide spontaneously over dinner that it would be appropriate to return to church and continue our musical training in a 2-hour nighttime jam session! Now that’s enthusiasm!

I have long considered worship team to be ministry team that has the most fun, judging by the lightheartedness and humor that graces each of our monthly meetings, jam sessions, parties, and going to concerts and other special events or services. We probably have the least boring meetings of all church meetings. And we can always poke fun at each other and laugh at ourselves while enjoying each other’s company, even with the families and children around (or especially so… those crazy kids!).

But now I am also convinced that the worship team also may have the most passion. I see a great passion to see God honored and His Name glorified. I see a great passion to move forward and progress in our musicianship. I see a great passion to do all things with excellence, spiritually and musically. I see a great passion and love for the congregation, a desire to see them value corporate worship and long to see and know more of Jesus Christ. And I am especially humbled to see such a passion to follow my leadership, though I am young, sinful, occasionally oblivious, stubborn, and have made mistakes. By they are also willing to take huge risks with me when I say go, or to hold back when I say no. God has blessed me with a great team, and words cannot express my gratitude. Please continue to pray for my wisdom in leadership.

Worship team, my heart is encouraged by your enthusiasm and passion, especially necessary during a time in which our church may be regularly criticized by some as lacking vision, resisting change, losing hope, or being stagnant. By God’s grace we have accomplished so much in 2007-2008, and I am refreshed and renewed in my excitement to see what God has in store for 2008-2009, as I beheld a renewed fire in your hearts today. I praise and thank God for you all!

And now, I REALLY have to sleep! Because the worshipful weekend continues at 8:00am tomorrow…

James

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:56:50 GMT

Xanga Girl

I was channel surfing this weekend when I caught a music video from a Christian band I used to follow before they changed their name and made it big (The Afters, formerly known as Blisse). Apparently, they had released a song earlier this year entitled MySpace Girl. It’s a sweet song, and really catchy! You can see the music video here [YouTube].

As great a song it is though, and as much as I like it, what was most surprising and also kind of disappointing is this: I had written a song (with help from my roommate Daniel) back in October 2004, but never recorded it… called Xanga Girl!!! (At that time, Xanga and blogging was the big thing on the Internet, while social networking was just catching on.) Xanga Girl was meant to be the 4th song in our “dorm room sessions” recording series, but we scrapped production, even after all the instruments were recorded and the lyrics were complete. So now I’m disappointed because even though it was never going to be released, now it seems so unoriginal.

In case you never heard about them, the “dorm room sessions” consisted of:

Fall ‘03, a rock lament of my horrendous academic term, by me
Without You, a sappy ballad of a shocking lost love, by Nointernet (Leah, Daniel, and me)
Love, This Christmas, the next Christmas classic, by bringyouROWnbass (Sharon, Daniel, and me)

Anyways, Xanga Girl was intended to be a parody of 4-power-chord generic pop-punk; after all, emo was just getting big at the time as well. And the song even topped Without You as having some of our smartest lyrical work (and some obscure references) as well. Here are snippets:

“Xanga girl, you rock my world wide web”
“Your blog is never more than superficiality / But that’s what I call your ‘virtual reality’”
“I wish that I could say to you someday, ‘With this blogring I be wed’”
“Your quizzie called me Charlie Brown, and you’re my little red-haired Xanga girl”

The reason we scrapped production is because neither of us had a good pop-punk tenor voice, and we wanted to find someone else to sing it. How sad. Well, despite being beaten to the punch (though 4 years late) by The Afters and their great song MySpace Girl, here is our vocal-less, unfinished song #4:

Xanga Girl (background track)
Music and Lyrics by Room 220 (James Szeto and Daniel Tadiarca)

[right-click to download: Room 220 - Xanga Girl (background track) - mp3 (2.84MB)]

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:57:10 GMT

Come Thou Fount (Instrumental, MP3)

This is the first hymn arrangement I actually wrote for guitar and have used a few times during Sunday worship as an instrumental, meditative piece. Someday I need to record this with Doris or Buddy. Michael was able to use a variation of this arrangement at Steven and Angie’s wedding. And to Joel, Steph, Josh, and Chris, who have all requested tabs… someday I will write it out… someday. Haha.

Come Thou Fount (Instrumental)
Original Melody by John Wyeth
Arrangement by James Szeto

[right-click to download: James Szeto - Come Thou Fount - mp3 (2.41MB)]

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
[Hitherto Thy love has blessed me,
Thou hast brought me to this place;
And I know Thy hand will bring me
Safely home by Thy good grace.]
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
—by Robert Robinson

By the way, the fourth verse, which we never sing, is my favorite of all.

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:05:22 GMT

Google Keywords Affiliated With Me

Although I’ve been terrible at blogging consistently, the few ramblings I’ve published have caused some interesting stats to crop up in my Google Analytics account. Now I proudly (or ashamedly, in some cases) present to you: Google search terms that bring you to the website of yours truly.

1) “Injured diaphragm” [links here] Apparently more people than myself have diaphragm issues, and there aren’t many other websites out there with anything informative to say about it. I will take this time, then, to warmly reassure all of you visitors with diaphragm pains: YOU AND I ARE GOING TO DIE BECAUSE NO DOCTORS ARE MAKING USEFUL WEBSITES ABOUT DIAPHRAGM PAIN!!! The internet brings you here, but I have no solution.

Other search examples include: pain in diaphragm, sprained diaphragm, strained diaphragm, pain below diaphragm, diaphragm sharp pain, dull diaphragm pain, how can i injure my diaphragm, pain behind rib cage, etc. Now, to the guy searching for “how can i injure my diaphragm,” I don’t want to know…

2) “Optimum change to carry in wallet” [links here] Aha! Other people are just as weird and nerdy as me, too! Thought I was the only one, eh? Well I’m glad my two-post series is able to reveal the solution to so many people concerned with this practical issue. Also searched: optimal pocket change, what is the perfect amount of change to carry around in your pocket, etc.

3) “Clown trash cans” and “designer trash cans” [links here] Okay, first of all, I was not sure what a clown trash can was. Then I googled it. Do NOT view this video alone at night in the dark. You have been warned!! [YouTube] Secondly, if you’re into designer trash cans, you need a new hobby.

4) “Doreen Szeto wedding” [links here] I understand how this shows up as a search result. What gets me is that people are googling her wedding. Is that the new trend? Can I google “James Szeto wedding” and find out who I’m going to marry?

5) “We need to DTR” [links here] Is it scary that I’m on page 1 on the search results for this? I don’t know if this series of posts was an entertaining satire or a public disservice, really. Maybe I should post my serious Sunday school lesson on dating next. If you’ve come to my blog for dating advice, you’re no better off than all the poor people with diaphragm pain.

6) “Pantsed in public” [links here] All the weird fetish/voyeur people looking to get your kicks at my website, you’ve come to the wrong place. And if I ever really did get pantsed in public, you would go blind from the shimmering white sheen that is my milky thighs. So be thankful.

7) “What James Szeto eats” [links here] Okay, umm. Let me tell you something. Google is great and all, but it doesn’t know everything. I fear the day when someone can type “what underwear is James Szeto wearing right now” and Google returns not only the style and color, but the price, location and date of purchase, and usage statistics (e.g. “last washed: Christmas 2003″).

So, to answer your question, what do I eat? I eat just about anything that’s bad for you. The worse, the better.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:20:07 GMT

How To Walk With Someone: Stairs

Some of you know me to be pretty observant. Some of you know me to be slightly obsessive-compulsive. Some of you know me as a very one-on-one type of person, in terms of how I prefer to hang out or go out with friends.

To those of you who know me as all three of those, this series of posts will make perfect sense. It’s called How To Walk With Someone.

For the first installment, let’s talk about stairs (my biggest gripe). Let’s say that a friend and I are walking up or down a bi-level stairway together. I, either being deferential to my guy friend or courteous to my girl friend, will regularly take the outside track and cover the extra circumferential distance. (Young men, take note in addition: walk on the side closer to traffic when on the sidewalk with someone, except at night along streets with alleyways, in which case the interior side is proper.) Anyways, it looks like this (imagine that this staircase is spiraling upwards or downwards):

Yes, we travel different distances. But we also have to move at different speeds (fortunately I have long legs, which helps).Well, you know what I think about every single time? Two friends can actually ascend and descend a staircase traveling the same distance and the same speed! The only problem is that everybody needs to become aware of this method first, because if just one person tries to do it, he’ll totally throw the other one off. Check it out:

Yeah!! Isn’t it beautiful? Okay, let’s just make an agreement to do that from now on, shall we? Spread the word.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:13:39 GMT

Near The Cross (Instrumental, MP3)

The first recording on my new guitar! Excuse the mistakes; I did this in just one take after trying Come Thou Fount a dozen times before giving up and deciding to switch songs instead. And the tone’s a little bright for my tastes, but they’re brand-spankin’-new strings.

Near the Cross (Instrumental)
Original Melody by William Howard Doane
Arrangement by James Szeto

[right-click to download: James Szeto - Near The Cross - mp3 (2.97MB)]

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
—by Fanny Crosby

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:04:07 GMT

New Guitar!

I have been playing guitar for ten years now… leading worship, giving lessons, performing, and even taking silver at a musical competition… *drumroll*… all without ever owning an acoustic guitar! (I have owned an electric Fender Strat all these years though; some of you will remember her name is Jasmine).

But that’s right: I’ve been borrowing guitars for years from anyone and everyone (Tim, Mike, Jackie, Steven, Adrienne, Lynnette, Uncle Warren, Melissa, Patricia, Ricky, Ed, James F., the Sums, Pastor Howard, Jon, Josh C. and Josh P., just to name a few). THANK YOU to all of you!

Well, in a recent post, I mentioned that one item I’ve been thinking of getting was indeed an acoustic guitar of my own. And God really opened the doors and put this baby into my lap:

I found her on Craigslist the same day I wrote that post. Not only that, but Henry lives just two blocks down from my church, and he was offering a phenomenal price for the model (Larrivee LV-03E)! Everything worked out smoothly, and now here she is! The way things worked out so perfectly and conveniently in terms of timing and location was just astounding. I can’t call it answered prayer, because I didn’t really pray for it before… but I’ll definitely call it a blessing, or even a gift, from God… I will have to put her to good spiritual use!

And name suggestions! I need name suggestions!

As promised, music is forthcoming.

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Friday, August 22, 2008

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:34:29 GMT

An Open Letter To College Freshmen

For a while I’ve been thinking about starting a new blog series called “Open Letters,” each addressed to an individual, but available for all to read. I already have a few in mind, and I’m hoping to write one every few weeks. I believe it’ll be a way to reveal my mind while also encouraging others.

This first letter was initially going to be a private e-mail, but I’ve decided to really generalize it and direct it to the entire class of incoming college freshmen, using it as my first “open letter” instead. (For those who do not know, I am a part of the college ministry at my church, so this is entirely appropriate.)

Dear college freshmen,

No doubt there are many thoughts on your mind and emotions in your heart as you prepare to leave for college, many of you this very weekend. For many, these will be the best four (or more) years of your life. They will also be the fastest; mark my words: college will be over before you know it. However, looking at it from this side, having not yet begun, it may seem very daunting, knowing that for the first time in your life you’ll be on your own. And imagine how much lies in store: at the end of this road, you might know how to cook! You may be moving somewhere you never thought you’d live. You might even be married (and don’t write this last one off as a joke)…

So, as someone who came out successfully on the other side, weeping and bloodied and bruised and beaten (just kidding… don’t be scared!), and only if you count not having a “real” job as “successful” (kidding again… maybe!), I’d like to share with you some things I learned along the way. Granted, I don’t know much about life after college, but I’ve gone through that part at least, so I feel very much like a newborn telling a fetus all about the birth canal. Heehee, oh, analogies!! Anyway…

4 Pairs Of Things To Keep In Mind As You Go To College

1a) Get out there…

Use your freedom to try new things and opportunities. The college experience is not solely an academic experience. There are many opportunities to learn new things outside of the classroom. I joined an acappella group. You might join crew. Or take up salsa dancing. Be a part of clubs and organizations. Try something you never thought you’d be interested in. Like so many American Idol stories, I auditioned for ScatterTones just because my friends were auditioning, so I tagged along. I got in and they didn’t… oops. But I ended up there, and my experience there really defined my whole freshman year!

There are also many opportunities to learn new things inside the classroom, but outside your major. You guys probably never heard of my “UCLA Project.” I’ll post my old blog posts and video clips here later, but I basically decided one day in my senior year to attend 10 hours of class, for 10 different majors, in 10 different classrooms (or something like that). That was an eye-opening day, especially the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) course I attended.

1b) …But filter everything

From a Christian standpoint, I always encourage people to test everything they hear preached. In college, this applies not only to the pulpit, but also to everything you hear from your professors and friends, and the random bums on campus who scream crazy things as you walk to class. You’ll be exposed to so many new viewpoints, world views, and religions. Ask questions. Challenge your faith. Don’t blindly accept things as truth just because it comes from a scholarly mind or studied individual. Find out what you believe in, why you believe in it, and then stand up for it. Would you be able to defend your position against your professor regarding creationism/evolution? Your classmates regarding drinking/sobriety? Your roommate regarding sex/abstinence? Be on your guard against everything you hear taught or suggested or condoned or permitted, filtering it against what you have been taught and the truth of God’s Word.

2a) Be yourself…

College is not high school. You don’t have to change your dress or behavior to be in the cool club anymore. For the most part, people will accept you for who you are. Even if they don’t, there are so many people on campus that there’s bound to be some others like you out there. In any case, it’s just easier to be true to yourself than to try to pretend to be someone you’re not.

2b) …But don’t be afraid to change

If you’re happy with who you are now, you’re in for a big surprise. You’ll change in college… a lot. Do you think you’re a different person now than when you started high school? Yeah, that’s going to happen again. And don’t be too proud of who you are and what you’ve done. You’re not going to be the best at anything in college. Think you’re good at piano? There will be better pianists. Basketball? You’ll get shown up on the court. Valedictorian, were you? So were many of your new friends and classmates. It’s okay.

And hey, you’ll make mistakes, too. That’s part of life. It’s for the better; thank God for those and for all the trials. And just suck it up and stick it through… you’ll be okay. God is faithful and will see to that. Know that if you’re walking with Him, any change that happens is change for the better.

3a) Have fun…

Basically, if college is boring, you’re doing it wrong.

3b) …But know when to focus

Okay, don’t have that much fun. Or the wrong types of “fun” (remember, good judgment—if what you’re doing may land you in jail or in the morgue… that’s the bad type of “fun”). Up top I said that college is not solely an academic experience, but primarily it still is. As I’m sure your parents will remind you, you’re here to study and get a degree and pave the way for your future career. That means you have to know how and when to buckle down and get serious. Learn how to say “no” to certain social events because you need to study or work on that project, even though you really want to go.

Even more important than academics, though, is your spiritual life. First things first. That includes regular time with God in the Word and prayer, commitment to a single church, and involvement in a Christian community. I could say so much more on this, because it’s the most important thing, but I won’t harp on it.

4a) Friends are everything…

Friends are your biggest influence (positively and negatively). They will also be your biggest supporters and your go-to guys when you need someone, now that your high school friends and family are slightly less accessible. Make sure you find a good group of friends. Guys AND girls, both! And please, not completely within the “Christian bubble” of your fellowship. Actually, for those of you going to Christian schools, part of me doesn’t sit well that you will be in that kind of “sheltered” environment (but that’s just a personal opinion). In any case, have friends who challenge you, friends who encourage you, friends who keep you grounded, and friends who are just plain fun to have around. There will never be another time in your life when you’re surrounded by everyone the same age and in the same walk of life (until you enter a retirement home, and that’s not nearly as happenin’, or so I hear).

4b) …But don’t forget about home

Your old friends, your family, and your “home” church are still around. Come back to visit, call them, keep in touch. These are the people who have been so influential to help you become who you are today; don’t leave them behind or forget about them. Actually, what I’m basically saying is: write me! Call me! Come home and visit me! Haha… seriously. But we here also know that after a while, nothing is more precious than snail mail coming to your dorm, and making your roommates jealous. We’ll keep that in mind, too!

There’s so much more that can be said about these and other pieces of advice, but this is getting quite long. As usual, sift through all of this, and take to heart what’s solid, and throw away what’s not (but don’t make me say “I told you so!”). Oh, and a final piece of advice: keep reading my blog; it will make me happy. :)

Your temporarily self-proclaimed college guru,

James

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