jdbailey

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:43:25 GMT

Well, it's been a while since my last post and I felt the need to update...I'm on vacation in Orlando which is nice, except for Fay's unwelcomed stay. I've had a chance to visit with a few friends so far and hopefully more on the morrow. I also finished Camus's "The Plague" which was excellent. I'm now readinf Gaines' "A Lesson Before Dying" which is also wonderful. Needless to say, I have enjoyed my time here despite the weather. Hopefully all of you are blessed and enjoying life.

Jonathan

The Feminine Mistake?! AAAAHHHHH!

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:01:55 GMT

So, I was at B&N just browsing when I saw a book called "The Feminine Mistake" and I thought that it might be an interesting book chronicling the loss of the feminine perspective in our current period. But alas, I was surprised to find yet another book speaking of the potential horrors of women opting out of the work force to care for their families. As a feminist supporter, I find the revulsion to women being stay-at-home moms appalling.
I mean, what are fighting for if we tell women that they can't choose to be stay-at-home moms if that's what they want to be! Don't get me wrong here, I know that our society in some sense can still pressure women to feel that they are irresponsible if they aren't at home caring for their children, but I also think that we as Americans have become completely irresponsible in our child-rearing. We simply expect our children to rear themselves... responsibly! I am a firm believer that parenting is a most important aspect of being a parent and it is important that our children have at least one of their parents around through the developmental years...I'm also a realist and know that single parents do their best. Nonetheless, having one parent at home in a two-parent household actually saves money and is better for children, and I don't care whether it's the male or the female!
I hate that we're making the world safer for women to make decisions and then demanding that they make decisions we want them to....AAAAHHH!
Okay, I'm done venting.
How is everyone? :)

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:12:13 GMT

Well, it's been a while since my last post (seven weeks according to LJ), so I wanted to let you all know that I'm alive and well. It's been really busy the past few weeks and this week was absolutely insane! I led or assisted with nine different services this week...it was Holy Week though. I also delivered an actual sermon (normally I just do a short homily at my service) but I was invited to preach at the Contemporary Protestant Service for the Easter Service. Everyone seemed to enjoy the sermon so hopefully it spoke to them.

The jest of it was just like Mary was searching for Jesus in the wrong place, we often search for answers in the wrong places where we think they should be. Just as Jesus should have been in the tomb, our answers should be where we know they are but they aren't there. Then just as we begin to get desperate the answer is there (in Mary's case it was Jesus) but we still don't see. Instead, we ask and wonder where what we're searching for is, often still trying to figure things out on our own b/c we're still stuck on the idea that what we're looking for should have been where we looked in the first place.
More often than not, what we need and what we're looking for isn't where or what we think we need. In fact, often what we need happens to be right before us, but somewhere or in a package that we just look passed. So we miss what we've been seeking.
Often, when we really seek, the answer presents itself to us at our moment of despair where we lose hope of finding answers where we think they should be. The reality is that we all need help, and that's what Jesus does when he calls out Mary's name...he gently revealed himself to her and offered her exactly what she needed but not necessarily what she thought she needed. Just as Jesus does this for Mary, our goal as Christians is to be that unexpected touch that brings people what they need and bring healing to those in despair.

I hope that all of you are well and that you're taking care of yourselves. Continue to pray for us and for all people, and pray especially for peace throughout the world.

Blessings

the "sandbox"

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:48:27 GMT

"I'm leaving on a jet plane/ don't know when I'll be back again."
So I'll probably be in a completely different the next time I talk to many of you. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to talk to all of you again but we do not know what the future holds. I hope not to come back in a box or bag and I would prefer if none of my soldiers came back in such thing as well. So pray for us that all of us stay safe and just know what's going on. But if I do come back in a box, my mom has several phone numbers (i.e. Jared, Kristi, and a couple more) so if you get a phone call just start notifying other friends that you think might like to know b/c you might know numbers to ppl that my mom won't have. Take care of yourselves guys and know that I'll miss you.

Bailey

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:28:17 GMT

Okay, so I haven't posted in a very, very long time and I need to post.
First, I really need you guys to pray for a couple of my guys that are in the hospital for pretty different reasons. One just had brain surgery Friday to remove a tumor and they are looking into what type of tumor it is currently and we should know by this coming Friday.
The other is there b/c his wife gave birth to a baby girl suffering from gastroschisis 8 weeks ago. The doctors at UNC have given the baby 6 months to live and little hope to prolong that. There is an outside chance that a bowel transplant may save her life, but it has about a 50/50 success rate and they don't know if anyone will do it. They are researching and want to do the right thing.
Needless to say, I'm kinda stressed b/c of all the things that I have going on with my job on a day-to-day basis and this type of news seems to drain me. But I'm doing well and I finally have a home so that's all good. I've also made several friends at Fort Bragg, and really enjoy what I do. Although, I don't necessarily like days like Friday but I did get to meet two very interesting families that I probably would not know otherwise.
K, well, back to the Superbowl

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 04:24:11 GMT

Well, I'm almost 26...it feels strange in a way. Another year gone by and I feel I'm learning a lot about how to be a priest and a chaplain but I have so much more to learn. The one thing in my life (as with so many of my close friends) that I just seem unable to find an answer to is my single status. It seems simple enough, meet a girl, talk, go out, become more than friends, get married, have kids, etc. but it just hasn't worked out so far. Oh well, it is what it is...although I could definitely think of some people who I would happily date tomorrow but it just seems that no one is really interested.
Well, on a much more pleasant note, I will be at Bragg soon but I do not know if it will be as soon as I originally thought...it may be mid December before I get there instead of early Dec. Either way though it will be good. I do know that I'll end up at either the 3rd of 309 Field Artillery or the 2nd of the 504 Infantry Battalion in the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division...HOOAH!
K, that's about it for now...I hope everyone stays blessed and that all of you have a great day tomorrow. Night.

Bailey

I'm still on LJ

Sun, 24 Sep 2006 05:27:10 GMT

Yes, that's right I am still on Livejournal...although it may seem like I'm rarely saying anything.
Well, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am officially a Chaplain in the US Army and waiting on orders to go to a unit somewhere (most likely at Ft. Bragg with the 82nd Airborne Division in NC but we'll see). I also just got back from vacationing in FL where I got to see Cindy and Amanda Guiles and some of the new WH people down at Stetson and just got to hang out for a week. I also got to go see two wonderful productions, both of of which Joie was a part, "Oklahoma" and "The Legend of Robin Hood...Sort Of" while I was down (I also got to go Cardio Kickboxing with Joie and it proved to be a lot of fun). After the Robin Hood play I got a chance to hang out Mark and Vanessa as well as a few of Joie's other friends who were in the play. All in all, the week was really a great week. In fact, the only thing that was really problematic about the week was the fact that the transmission on my truck does not like me right now...I think the release bearing is worn out or something to that extent and it really gave me some issues this week but I will hopefully be getting a new truck within the week anyway since mine is really too small for all the moving I must do. Oh well, what will be will be.
Ok, I'm off to bed...I need to get up for church tomorrow as do so many of you.

Grace and Peace,
Jonathan Bailey

Thanksgiving

Thu, 24 Nov 2005 06:12:33 GMT

Okay, so I'm posting an update to my lj on Thanksgiving. Why you may ask?
Well, I have a lot to be thankful and I haven't really taken the time to do that properly as of late...Really this pertains to the fact that so many of you I haven't really expressed gratitude for just being there as I've called or come to see you over breaks and what not. A lot of you I consider my family and know that you'd be there for me regardless, so for that I say thank you.
Also, I'm thankful for the fact that I've gotten all my stuff replaced that was stolen and for your prayers over the past few weeks since all that happened. And one last thing, I'll see most of you in less than a month in Orlando at Justin and Allison's wedding (yay! fun times).
Oh, well, I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and know that someone in Boston misses all you guys.

Oh, and Kristi many thanks to you and Mama Kay for the package you sent for my birthday :) I'm enjoying the cookie bars and the cake.
Jared, let's plan to get together as soon as possible once I'm in FL.
Jonathan, I'm not going to be able to make it to your wedding because that's the day we're doing all the stuff for Justin's wedding...but I want to wish the best now and I'll see you in FL before you get married hopefully ;)
Joie, I hope you're well in Lake Mary, we haven't talked in while so we should soon.
Jen, I hope TN is all you hoped for and more and that Americorps isn't too bad.
To my Boston friend, Leah I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and you'll have to tell me about it when you get back = )

Well I know that's not everyone but I can't remember who all my friends are on lj off the top of my head right now, so if I left you out I did so unintentionally, but I wish all of you the best and hope you have a good holiday season!

Bailey

Marathon Plans

Thu, 21 Apr 2005 03:07:26 GMT

Okay, so now that I'm recovering from the Boston I've already signed up for the Disney on the 8th of January 2006...my registration has been paid and so I'll be running 26.2 miles at least once more before my marathon career is finished, although, I'm contemplating running the Chicago in October as well but that might be cutting it a little close as far as training time is concerned...I'll be training with the Army all summer, but the Army doesn't usually run marathons. Needless to say, I'm waiting on CT to get back to me on whether or not he will be running the Chicago. If I don't do it next year, I think I could do it the year after that though.

K, I'll let you all know what comes out of this when I'm done deliberating. :)
Jonathan

Marathon Update

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 02:55:53 GMT

Well, I ran the Boston Marathon today and finished it in 4 hrs and 58 minutes...not great, but I finished!!!
After running 26.2 miles I'm beat and going to bed...hopefully, I'll hear from you all soon.
Later,
Jonathan (my name is currently written down both my arms by the way).

P.S. I think I'm going to register for the Disney Marathon that takes place in January sometime in the near future.

Spring Break?

Sat, 12 Mar 2005 18:28:34 GMT

Well, this is the third time it's snowed during SPRING BREAK (just doesn't seem like spring if you ask me)...and it's still crazy cold up here (but fortunately not nearly as cold as last year). I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE Boston but I do get tired of winter.
Other than the fact that it is still winter, everything is going fairly well. I have a lot of work that I should get done as usual and I'm slacking like the extreme slacker that I am, but we all know it'll get done somehow. Life is life and my grandma isn't doing to well right now. Some of you may know she's had a blood clot in her leg for the past three years but she recently had some mini-strokes and so she's probably not going to be around much longer...However, she is doing fine (in a manner of speaking) for now, so hopefully I'll be able to see her again, but you just never know (this is depressing I know).
On to the fun stuff (because we don't just live with the depressing side of life), the UNC Tarheels are playing today which should be an awesome game (I'm so happy), and then Duke plays NC State (Go State but ultimately GO HEELS!!!) Needless to say, I'll be watching a lot of basketball in the near future.
Well, later gentle creatures,

Jonathan

Christianity revisited...

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 05:06:26 GMT

Yesterday is never today
live in the now and embrace what's to come.
Remember the past
but move in the future.
Life comes fast and goes even faster.
Live with reckless passion and abandon.
Love with a love that isn't afraid to lose,
and find the deepest depth in the simplest of things.
Take pleasure in life’s sweetness,
and feel pain in the bitterness.
Above all be human,
and find God within.

Hopefully this doesn't seem to controversial...have fun thinking about it though.

Jonathan

Tue, 25 Jan 2005 04:42:00 GMT

Hey guys, just wanted to let you all know that life is good and that school is going well so far. Also, we survived the blizzard (all 25" of it).
I really enjoyed the snow but it's time for it to go. It's not going anywhere any time soon though.
Later guys,
Bailey

Wed, 19 Jan 2005 05:50:39 GMT

Yo, what's up guys?
Well, classes started today so I was in class for six hours today (long day)... Well, I have a ton of reading already and should probably start thinking about papers I'm going to write.
I guess I'm glad to be back at it but I don't know how excited I am yet overall. I still like being in Boston and had a lot of fun this past weekend hanging out with friends before the semester got underway. Hopefully, the trend stays that way.
Needless to say I should probably go to bed because I have to be at the Chapel tomorrow by 8:00am for morning prayer at
8:30am.
Later,
Bailey

So begins another semester up in Boston

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 06:01:44 GMT

Well, tomorrow I have to go pick up my new keys so I can move from old room to a new, but familiar room (the same room I lived in last year). I decided to give up the single and move in with my friend Nate because it'll be fun and it's a thousand dollars cheaper for the semester. So tomorrow I'll just be busy moving all my stuff down the hall.
I think I'm ready for another semester but I'm not sure yet and I guess I won't know until classes next week. Until then, I'll hopefully get a chance to just hang out with friends once they all get back in town this weekend.
I really miss Florida though and I really miss all my friends there. I got a chance to see a lot of them over the break at J's New Year's Eve party (thanks for the invite J). Now if I could only come up with a way of getting all my Florida friends up here...hmmm :)
Well, off to read some more lofty ontological philosophy/theology by Bob (Dean Robert Neville) and then going to bed. Later.

It's Friday!

Fri, 02 Apr 2004 13:40:35 GMT

It's Friday 2 April 04 and it's cold outside, it's 39 and feels like 29 and it's raining. It could really be depressing, but it's Boston and it's at least not as bad as it was back in January when it was -20 and felt like -40! Overall, it should be a good day though. I get to go pick up my alb today for church next year (it just got finished by the nuns at the liturgical clothing store downtown) and then get to hang out with friends and tonight we're going dancing, should be fun.
Other than that there's nothing that new in my life right now except I now know what classes I'm taking next semester and my Officer Basic Course situation is pretty much taken care of...speaking of which, Kristi, I'll be at Ft. Stewart this summer so I may be able to swing over to your house when I get done if you're there by then. It's coming down to the wire here for the year and I need to do well on all my papers and tests to possibly get a raise in my scholarship so pray for me.

Peace and Grace to you all,
Bailey

School and Life

Wed, 31 Mar 2004 06:30:18 GMT

Yeah, so it's 1:00am and I'm not in bed yet. In fact, I'm still doing laundry and I have a discussion group tomorrow at 8:00am... so much for getting enough sleep. It's been a good week so far but it's just beginning because I have a Hebrew test on Thursday. Oh the joys of Hebrew. I also have a ton of reading to do and about 4 papers to write in a span of three weeks, fun. I'm not too worried though it'll get done I'm sure. It is frustrating though because I feel that sometimes I'm so bogged down in this stuff that I don't focus on those things that are really worth focusing on like God, family, friends, and myself (especially staying in excellent physical condition). It's just a difficult balancing act to pull off, but fortunately I have a good group of friends all over the country that I know are praying for me and thinking about me continuously as well as a good church here in Boston. Still no girlfriend though and that really sucks. It just feels like it's time and it's really troubling to have no direction whatsoever in that respect, but in the fullness of time I'm sure something will happen (the waiting still sucks). Well, I'm off to finish my laundry I just thought I would log on and put up my first official posting.
Thanks for recommending this J it's really nice to do.
Later all,
Bailey