Fire A Volley! AMEN!

2007-06-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Do you ever think to live each day like it's your last? Worship God to the fullest, give Him praise, honour and glory with every breath that He gives you? With the blink of an eye and a beat of a heart life can change. But as the Holy Dove moves in you, every breath you drew was Hallelujah!

Tragedy is something that is eneviable but constant. But should we look at a death as a tragedy? Yeah he's taken from us here on earth but he's in Heaven, where we're meant to be. I dreamt of him walking through the gates of heaven, first realizing what had happened. Despite the pain and anger on earth, a smile appears on his face and he says to himself, "I'm home!"

We don't understand but we have no need to ask why. It's the will!

We'll see you again on the shores of heaven, or maybe in the snow covered mountains, chill with God and throw pebbles in the lake. Look down, look wide, you touched each that came in contact with you...you will be missed, never forgotten, and always loved.

2007-06-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Sorry! I do have a reason for the lack of blogging...I forgot my log-in name and password, I have so many different ones! But I just figured it out, did you know that they can email you some of the information for you account, boy I'm not the brightest! But anyways I've cracked the mystery that is my password so I can blog again!

I guess the best thing for right now would be an update. I graduated, despite the procrastination, late nights, missed classes, lack of secondary sources and in the case of Global Christianity an entire book report! It's done, my post secondary career as I know it is over...at least for about a year and then who knows!

God has given me so much in my short 21 years and he continues to give, a job has been His latest gift with any bit of weight. I'm contracted for a year at my church in East Toronto as the Community Service Coordinator. Kid-Z-Own, volunteers, and Christmas Kettles are just a few things that will be under my watch. I'm excited about it, I believe it'll be good for myself, the church, and the community. I do request your prayers and thank-you for the support I know you give me.

Other than those two achievements not much has been happening in my life, I've just been relaxing, having my first summer vacation in 5 years. I did however, buy a MacBook which is freakin' sweet! That is also exciting! Ha!

Peace out and have peace in!

How many times do you have to be punched to realize it hurts?

2007-04-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

As you sit here, in your PJ's listening to Jack's Mannequin; eating the breakfast of champions...Reece Puffs you think to yourself...Me what the hect? Why aren't you finishing your paper? You idiot, you only have to write the intro and do the bibliography...move! *She takes a mouthful of cereal* Being up all night, not sleeping for 24 hours really does the body good, until you attend class (which you eventually leave due to pure exhaustion) needing to pay attention *takes another mouthful* because it's the final class of the year and they're discussing the exam. But you can't stay awake, "maybe I should have started my assignment earlier so that I wouldn't have had to stay up all night to finish!" But oh well, it's done now, handed in and there's no turning! You went to bed for a couple of hours. *Another spoonful in your tummy* Wake up and you are here...still procrastinating!

The Cloud and the Flower

2007-03-23T07:22:00.000-07:00

A barren land with a single, lonely flower.
The morning dewdrops sit so silently as the sun peaks above the edge.
As lonely as the flower is, its beauty surpasses the beauty of all things.
To see its pain, to hear its cries makes it all the more beautiful.
As the sun continues to rise, the dew dries and the flower becomes exposed.
Exposed for the entire world to see, only no one is there. No animal, man or even blade of grass.
The cries of the flower can be heard across the land but still it sits alone.
“Who will shield me from the scorching sun?” Wails the suffering flower.
No One!
Until, a glorious cloud, with colors of night, slowly makes its way across the vast sky. Sits, hovering above the land waiting, waiting for that precise moment. It has been so long that this cloud has been above this land, it’s done so much to deserve nothing. “ Should I release and give life to this land?” Wonders the bitter cloud.
That is when the cries of the innocent can be heard, the praise and the prays are lifted up. The heart of the cloud breaks with sadness and it gives way.
Life to the hopeless!

What's goin' on inside of me?

2007-03-02T15:46:00.000-08:00

So reading week is over, to which all I can say is "Holy Crap, the semester is flying by!" I went Ohio to visit Lez, it was good, to spend time with her, juts to see her! It was needed more than anything. I had a good experience, a burden was lifted but I came home to another one! Work has been stressful lately. Not the actual job but the people. Nothing is ever good enough, my life is not as stressful as theirs, I'm not as busy as they are! It's frustrating, I care about these people (I should considering I spend 40 hours a week with them!) but they've become so unbelievable adjutating! They call me cranky and bitchy, they feel they can because I, unlike them, haven't worked for 41 hours. But oh no...I can't talk about the fact that I'm in school as well, because that's not as stressful as having to raise my roomates 5 year old, and I don't have a wife! People who have never gone to university, in my opinion, have no right to even compare their stresses against the stress of papers, exams, and the like! I don't dispute the fact that they have stressful lives, but when they demean me and my stresses and are constantly comparing and judging me because I'm having a crappy day drives me mad! I wish I could just look them in the eyes and say, "You know what you can do? You can buggar off!" But I won't, I'll just continue to take it and every now and then rant on my blog like this...I apologize in advance!

Bob is a wise man!

2007-02-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

So the other day at work a gentleman came in looking for the copy of Shawshank Redemption that he had on reserve. As I proceeded to help him he started to talk to me. Talk to me about, well, a lot of things. His first comment was that Tim Robbins character and he were the same person. They were very similar. So he decided to tell me about his adventures with the correctional service in Ontario, he even showed me a check that came from the system. He was a real nice guy, he talked a lot, like 45 minutes, creeped me out a bit at first, but then I realized that everyone needs an un-biased ear! I mentioned to him that my dad works at the courts here in Toronto, young offenders though. He automatically asked, "what does he do?" to which I replied, "he's a chaplain." " With the Salvation Army?" "Yes!" "The Salvation Army are good people, I have something at home that I want you to give to your dad for me." At this point, he went home and about 20 minutes later he returned with a section of his book with a note to my father written on the top page. He spent a lot of time in the store and the funny part is, he still hasn't bought the movie, it still sits in the hold drawer.

I'm telling you this because, my dad left the papers on the kitchen table, so I decided to read some of them. They moved me to tears, his thoughts, his ideas, his actual words. From a prison cell Bob, was able to take his own experience and what he saw in the world and put it down on paper. It opened my eyes! Here's a little taste:

I have learnt that in order to learn, you've got to be free. Even though you may be caged, locked up for 24 hours a day, you are still free as long as you don't give up control of your mind. most people are not behind bars, but I believe they are prisoners, and are in self-imposed prisons, the worst kind of prison. they are prisoner to their beliefs, certitudes, addictions, and ignorance. to be in a self-imposed prison is the greatest act of ignorance, when you can free yourself by risking to be just you.

It's true! I've been facing that a lot at work. People being imprisoned because they can't unlock the door to the cell of their mind and just listen to their hearts to become themselves. Not to let what the "norms" or what society says jade your mind.

Just a thought!

I just wanna fall asleep!

2007-02-02T22:28:00.000-08:00

So, I've been trying to make some decisions lately and it's not going as well as I had thought it would! For so long you know exactly what you want and when the time comes to get it, you second guess yourself. What does God want? Is it the right choice? What do I want? What's best for my future? Is this even possible for my future? The worst part is, is that no one can seem to give me solid advice, they all keep telling me to leave it in God's hands, to which I keep saying, "ya think I'm not doing that already?" And then I get frustrated because God isn't really sending me clear signals, or maybe he is but I'm to dense to realize what they mean. Should I even read into things? Do I have a right to? Does God want me to know, to understand? Does He just want me to wait? I wish I knew...then maybe I could get some sleep!

Fame!

2007-01-26T15:06:00.000-08:00

You ever have one of those days where everything seems to be going really crazy? Like your mind is running a million miles a minute and your body can't catch up. Or Something in your life, that you thought was far back in your past suddenly jumps infront of your face. You're suddenly blindsided. I've had an experience such as that today. Let me explain.

All week I've been under the weather, so my state of mind and sleep pattern has been messed up. Friday morning arrives and my skin crawls with the thought of the really long day of classes and youth group that I had ahead of me. My mind contemplates "maybe I can stay home, I'm still not feeling completely better", but like the good and faithful Tyndale student that I am I rolled my exhausted body out of bed and began to get ready for what I thought was going to be another, long, cold, and tiring day.

My morning class served me well, with of course the help of my best friend...Mr. Coffee! It went by rather quickly which was greatly appretiated by my aching, tired bones. I arrived back home again before 11:30 am about 20 minutes earlier than I expected. I was home long enought to check my email, eat a bowl of cereal, havea quick chat with my mom and then leave to go back to school for my preaching class at 1pm. That class was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be today. Normally, I love that class, but today, fatigue hit me like a meteor to Smallville. I was struggling to stay awake the entire time (of course this is no reflection of Dr. Wong because he's awesome), I was glad when he let us leave.

I dragged my slugish body home, up the stairs to my room, standing long enough to change into my PJ bottoms, and then headed for the basement couch, with a warm quilt and a book. And then I got destracted. Destracted by Oprah! Had a good cry at the sight of conjoined four year old twin girls and the surgery to seperate them, it was moving, beautiful, and really cute. This is when things took a turn for the weird.

My mom waltzed down the stairs at 4:30pm wanting to watch the NTV news (it's the Newfoundland news), so of course I handed the remote over. For the most part the news was mundane. Boring and quite humorous at times, causing the peanut gallery that is my brain to make random, sarcastic, and in my mind helpful critical remarks. And then...a big story about a 20 year old man that was on trial for the attempted murder of his girlfriend came on. My ears perked up, it's not everyday that the news on the Rock is somewhat interesting, until I realized who the man was. He was a guy I went to school with from grades 8-11, a guy I hung around with at times, and his mom was my grade 10 math teacher. It totally shocked me, I could not believe what I was seeing, I was literally, speechless!

I'v elived in Toronto for almost four years now, and never once did I think about that guy, heck, I didn't remember his name when I first saw his face until they said it. It's weird how life sneaks up on you like that, out of the blue your past comes flying by. I guess we take it for granted. But that broadcast today got me thinking about others that I have known in the past, it conjured up things, memories, thoughts, I guess we'll never know, exaclty where this rivers gonna go and I guess we'll never understand until we reach that promiseland.

2007-01-23T12:38:00.000-08:00

Life has thrown some twists and turns that I can't seem to keep up with. I have a friend who's going through a lot and I want him to know that I here, but I don't know if he's listening. Things have been surfacing in my life that I've buried for years and I'm scared.

Here are some lyrics from one of my favorite Dream Theater songs, they're, in my opinion, gorgeous:

Wait for Sleep Dream Theater:

Standing by the window
Eyes upon the moon
Hoping that the memory
will leave her spirit soon

She shuts the doors and lights
And lays her body on the bed
Where images and words are
running deep
She has too much pride to pull
the sheets above her head
So quietly she lays and waits
for sleep

She stares at the ceiling
And tries not to think
And pictures the chains
She's been trying to link again

But the feeling is gone
And water can't cover her
memory
And ashes can't answer her
pain

God give me the power to take
breath from a breeze
And call life from a cold metal
frame

In with the ashes
Or up with the smoke from the
fire
With wings up in heaven
Or here, lying in bed
Palm of her hand to my head
Now and forever curled in my
heart
And the heart of the world

Ebay

2007-01-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

I've recently discovered the wonderful world of Ebay. It's both torture and pleasure all jumbled together to form one big stress ball known as...ME! It's bloody addictive! I can spend hours at a time on that site looking at stuff, music, shoes, music...okay it's mostly just shoes and music but still I spend a lot of time looking at those things. It's awesome when you find something that you've been looking for and it's not all that expensive, and then it sucks when some tool keeps out bidding you! For example, I've been trying to buy this book of poetry for a friend; it's by his favorite musican and I know he'd love it. There's one other bidder and he's good. He wants it real bad. It got up to like $35 Canadian, which isn't bad, but when you also have to pay like $15 for shipping you start rethink your bid. Unfortunantly for me, the guy didn't give up and the bidding closed today...I knew I should have bought it when I first saw it! I'm not very bright sometimes...but I've learned my lesson!

I only have eyes for you!

2006-12-13T21:09:00.000-08:00

I've gotten so used to buying new music that I'm spoiled! I haven't had a reason to get sick of a CD because I had so many to go through, until now! Since school has started (which is funny because school is over now) I haven't been able to buy any new stuff and now I'm bored! Sitting down with my laptop either blogging or chatting with friends I like to listen to music, but I haven't been able to satisfy my music craving. I love Dream Theater and will never be sick of them but I want something kind of mellow and soothing not crazy and upbeat. I've pretty much exhausted my Oasis collection (of which I have a large one), as much as I love Michael Buble I just can't bare to listen anymore, I need something new! And then I found it...it's new but yet at the same time old, my Frankie Sinatra collection! There is nothing better than a classic song sung by a classy crooner! I love Jamie Cullum but he's got nothing on Frank! Listening to "I Only Have Eyes for You" sends chills up my spine! It's beautiful, classic, warm, and just plain sexy...you HAVE give dear ole Frankie a listen to sometime, he brings you to a place like no other!

War!

2006-12-05T17:04:00.000-08:00

For the past week I have been writing a film paper for my Film and the American Society class, and it's been an interesting one!

I had to discuss to films, The Patriot and The Last of the Mohicans, and talk about how they portray the American Revolution. To my surprise this has been a difficult paper to write, there were a lot of things that I could have talked about but as per usual my passion stepped in and I went on a little rant...here it is...

Picture yourself, hiding in the attic with your children, hearing shots and smelling their smoke. The screams coming from outside your home are from men who are dying from severe injuries and wounds caused by guns whose bullets are now aimed at your home. The smell of burning wood hits your nose and you realize that they are burning down your barn, it is only a matter of minutes before they reach to where you are and ignite your house into flames. Your mind runs frantic thinking of what is yet to come but you try to remain composed for the sake of your children. You allow your mind to wander for a moment back to the time when your first child was born, a smile creeps upon your face, you remember when your second born took his first steps, and then you are brutally awakened from the past by melodic, terrifying footsteps. Your five-year-old daughter grips your arm and buries her face into your chest to muffle her terrified sobs. In your mind you see yourself rising from the floor and bringing the intruders to their knees, however, when you see them you become paralyzed with fear. Your heart pounds in your chest as they walk over to you, the man dressed in full military garb pushes aside your children and grabs you by the arm, pulls you up to his level. All the while uttering threats, looks you in the eye, cocks his rifle, points it at you, smirks, and then you wake up. You wake up to a beautiful day, you roll over to see your wife next to you, you can hear the sounds of cartoons in the next room and you realize that it is the 21st century America. You breath a sigh of relief that you are still alive, roll over to kiss your wife good morning, and then lie flat on your back for a while thanking God for the sacrifices that the men gave so you could be free from fear and threat of war.

So many people look upon war as a needless way to settle a dispute and most of the time they're right! But, sometimes it's needed!

TeeHee!

2006-12-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

I'm a giggling mess right! I'm supposed to be writing a paper that is late but I can't because I'm acting like a little school girl! Ha! You know the sensation you get in your tummy that's like constant nervous butterflies? That's what I've been like for the past few days...minus the wanting to throw up my guts part! I'm being so lame...but I can't help! For the first time in Toronto without Lesley being here, I'm truly happy! I haven't even gone out and did something to make me happy, it's just happening right here in my own house. This blog is majorly kryptic and I apologize, but I'm so giggly that all my words have left me!

"O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound, and crown what I profess with kind event if I speak true; if hollowly, invert what best is boded me to mischief! I beyond all limit of what else i'th' world, do "like", prize, honour you."

To those about to rock...

2006-11-26T22:37:00.000-08:00

I'm in an emotional state of confusion at this exact moment! It could be me (a computer illiterate) trying to install a new version of itunes to my computer! It could be the long night at work, it could be the fact that it's 1:30 in the morning! Or maybe it's the feeling of bittersweetness that is serging through my vains. It's November 26th, to you this may mean absolutely nothing, however, to me it means a fairly easy ride! However, I never thought that this ride would be with it a bit of heartbreak...sigh! Lesley and Josh came and are now gone. The Tempest is over! There is only two more weeks left to school, then exams, then Christmas, then my final semister at Tyndale! That's exciting but yet quite sad! I had no problem with the idea that I'm leaving Tyndale in May, but since I've started this Theatre class things changed. I guess it's one of those things that happens when you do a show...you make really good friends. It's crazy that everyone in this class is either a 3rd or 4th year student and I've only met one of them before and now, I know each on such a deeper level! It was such an amazing class, the professor was awesome, the show was hilarious, and the relationships will last a lifetime!

"Here's my comfort!"

Life!

2006-11-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

The irony in that title is sooooo misunderstood unless you know me right now! Life is something beautiful, something we want, something that we strive for, and it can even be an insult! However, for me life right now DOES NOT exist! I really have no life. Allow me to break it down for you...

I'm a fulltime student, taking 6 classes! Two of those classes are theatre classes, which many of you are probably saying theatre is a breeze and it's fun...well you're wrong! Theatre is seriously stressful! We are currently in rehersals for Shakespears The Tempest, and for anyone who's has ever acted in a Shakespearean play will know that a month to prepare the show is TOTALLY not enough time! That's the first complaint, the second, is that the run of the show (the week of November 23) is when all my major papers are due for all my other classes! Thirdly, I have a job, that when I'm not in class or at rehersals I'm there. Granted it's a job that I'm good at, and have a lot of fun doing, as well, I'm getting a promotion so that's awesome! But I have no time. It's gotten so bad that I keep getting sick, which then screws me over for my field education because I was too sick to get enough hours, so now I'm doing it next semister! And to add the cherry to this already perfect sunday, I teach Sunday School, which I love to do, but it adds more work and prep. time!

Annnnnnnd breath! However, in all this mess is a beautiful jem...New Glory Shoppe! It's kind of a place where, no matter what we are doing, I feel relaxed! As well, the Christmas pagent at East Toronto Corps is going to rock, thanks to Chris and Randy, the wonderful creators/writers!
That is one show that I'm looking forward to doing!

I complain, but I am also, very grateful! God has given me so much, two loving parents, a brother who cares, a home, the best friend a girl could ask for, and freedom!

I'm off! It's library time!

UUUUUUpdate!

2006-10-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

Oops! It's been awhile!

Lets see where to begin...there isn't much all that exciting happening here, just lots of school, rehersals and work! I'm embarking on midterms right now which really isn't fun! I should actually be studying for my teaching exam that I have tonight but clearly I've been side tracked!

Well really haven't got a lot to say, I'll write soon when I'm feeling inspired by something!

Oh! One more thing...Saturday night, 8pm @ Scarborough...Street Level! Be there, it'll be fun!

Peace!

Red Hot...Chili Peppers that is!

2006-09-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah! I'm in awe! I really have nothing to say but...OH MY GOSH!! So yeah! I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers live last night. They were amAAAAAzing! Their CD's do them no justice at all! They are brilliant, unbelievible, hyperactive, and really really HOT! I have a much greater apreceiation for them, I mean I always liked them, I thought their music was good and catchy but Holy Crap...they're, as they say in Newfoundland, dedly!

Oh and Anthony is soooo attractive, in person he's unbelievible beautiful. He doesn't look a day over 25 and he's like 45! Aye yi Aye!

"Me and my, me and my, me and my FRIENDS!!!!"

Peace out and word up, Dan!

Time for a blog I suppose!

2006-08-28T20:32:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure who reads this, but it doesn't really matter, this blog poses as a great source of journaling and ranting, not matter what. I'm not fully sure what to blog about tonight, I just felt I should. I guess I could start with an update!

Well, my folks have been gone to the Island for about three weeks now. It's been a time with just Jess and I alone in a huge five bedroom house. My brother is finally home from Alberta, safe and sound I might add. I'm continuing to work at Blockbuster, I've gotten a raise, which was badly needed! School starts in two weeks and I'm dying to go back. Ha! I say that but a week into it I'll be eating my words! I guess I should just learn to be greatful for the time God has given me...because in a few years I may not have it.

I've been reading quite a bit lately. I guess I've finally learned that greatness is found in a good book. My next adventure will be reopening Steinbeck's The Pearl, I've just got to buy a new copy because I'm not quite sure what happened to mine. Also, I'm hoping to pick up a copy of Coheed and Cambria: Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV, volume 1: From Fear through the Eyes of Madness A graphic Novel. Whoa! That's a title if I've ever heard one! I've just recently picked up the album (of the same name ) and now I'm oober excited for the novel as well. Which brings me to my next update...music. I've recently picked up, besides cohhed and cambria, Nizlopi and Jeff Buckley. Nizlopi is a band out of Endland, who have a unique brand of music. A bit of accustic, jazz, double bass, and of course beat boxing! If you're looking for a change of music I'm pretty sure that you have nothing in your collection like Nizlopi...go pick up their ablum it's awesome. As for Jeffy B! Come on...classic! For those who have no idea who he is...he's part Led Zeppelin, part Lenord Cohen, and part James Dean. Yeah he's really hot! I've got the album Grace which has his cover of Len Cohen's Halilujah. It's beautiful.

On the DVD front...I've just picked up season one of House, I'm still making my way through it. I'm trying to space out time between my box sets because there are a lot that I want. Season two came out this past Tuesday and I want that as well. But I'm holding off! But September is the month of Box set releases and I can't wait!

Unfortunantly, I've tried something for the first time today...Gellato! I say unfortunantly because I so totally should have been eating it a lot longer than I have been! The stuffs amazing!
That's it! Have a good one and experience something different and new today!

Isn't it strange!

2006-08-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

"Isn't it strange how we all get a little bit weird sometimes!" Oh Hanson, how I secretly (and now openly) still love you! But it's true what the three brothers from Tulsa say, we all get a little bit weird sometimes. Lets take tonight at work for example. I'm usually quite conservative at work because well...it's work and I want to be professional. But lately I've been getting a little hyper, my only explaination is that I've been working all night shifts with the same person. Now don't get me wrong I love working with Annissa but I'm getting to that comfortable stage with her now where I'm starting to act like myself. You know what I mean, (for those who know me well) saying stupid things, randomly bursting into song, dancing up and down the isles as I put movies back on the shelf...you know the same ole same ole! Yeah well tonight was no different than any other night of this week, mainly because of the Red Bull, but also because I generally was in a good mood! So everything was fine and dandy until I went on my break. I'd been working since 3pm so when 8 o'clock rolled around I was ready to chew off my left foot I was so hungry. I decided to go get somewhat healthy food tonight so I headed a few stores down to the Subway, where I branched out and got tuna on wheat (wooo exciting)! Oh boy, it was exciting...when I tried to pay for it with my debit card. Yeah it wouldn't work, it said that I had exceeded the limit for the day. Not only was I really confused...because I hadn't used my card at all that day, but I was also oober embarassed. And I had to walk back to Blockbuster to grab a $20 bill from my wallet and go back and pay. I was super annouyed and didn't understand what was going so I phoned my parents like 12 times until one of them answered their cell phones, and that's when my mom said that my pin number was probably stolen...and sure enough it was. My parents checked out my account information and there was a $1000 withdrawn from my account earlier that day. So, obviously my folks called the bank for me while I was at work and got all my cards and accounts put on hold. In about 20 minutes my buzz from my energy drink was killed. I even got so stressed out that my face broke out. Life sucks...but even more because tomorrow, or should I say later today (for it is 2:16 am) I have to do all the reporting with the police and the bank...yipee! People amaze me! It's kind of hard for me to even wrap my mind around the fact that someone could find out my pin number and then make another card. Can't you do something better with your time? Whatever! I'm goin' to bed and have my sorrow's drowned out by Boo Radley as I read once again the best book in the world, next to of course Lord of the Flies, To Kill A Mockingbird! Maybe my Boo Radley of a day will eventually fade far enough from my mind to allow me to get some well needed sleep!

"Sitting on the side. Waiting for a sign. Hoping that my luck will change."

Branching Out

2006-07-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

As I sit here listening to some Blur, I've been thinking about my music collection! I realize that I'm a music snob! I LOVE Dream Theater, I hate female voices, and would rather eat my left eye ball than to listen to gangsta rap!

With all that being said I have been branching out (hence the title of the blog)! I've started to listen to some K-OS and Kardinal Offishall! Rap but not gangsta! They actually have lyrics that mean something unlike the crap that comes on Much Music, which is frustrating! The other day my friend Gord and I have a conversation about the meaningless music that's out there. We were listening to Ben Harper's new CD and were discussing the different styles and influences which eventually led to how amazing music was back in the day. Think about Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, Cat Stevens, Queen, Run DMC, hect...the Beatles! Music had originallity, worth, importance! Now don't misunderstand me...there is still music out there that has worth, but it's over shadowed by the Simple Plans, Chingys, and Rhyanna's out there. It's frustrating and annouying! But I still have my fingures crossed for the good artists out there...artists like City and Colour, Pilate, and K-OS to make it in the states!

Wow! That was a bit of a rant! I'm going to recommend everyone to listen to a band called Travis! If you haven't heard of them, go out and get some of their stuff. They're kind of a mix between Oasis and Coldplay, more Oasis than Coldplay (I'm not a fan of Coldplay)...oh and they're Scotish, so that's a plus! They're awesome! Also, Coheed and Cambria, a Dream Theater/My Chemical Romance mix, weird combo but it works believe it or not!

Cow-a-bung-gah Dudes!

Changes!

2006-06-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

As I sit here at my computer, still in my PJ's at 1:44 in the afternoon, I realized something...I HAVE NO LIFE! I work at Blockbuster and I work a lot, but when I'm not working I'm home watching movies, or more recently MTV (death to MTV)! Since Lez flew the nest I've seemed to curl up in her place as well as my own! It's time leave...who wants to leave with me?

So here's the plan, this summer there are a list of things that I want to do to get my ass off the couch, and I would love some company! Here's the list:

-Take a day long bike trip (...I'm hoping to invest in a bike!)
-Take a day long hiking trip
-Vegge on the beach until the sun goes down
-Have a campfire
-Go camping (this and the last one can kinda go hand in hand)
-Go sailing
-Go rock climbing
-Make good use of my Wonderland pass
-Go to Marineland
-Have a huge backyard party with all the BBQ fixings including Lemonade and Iced Tea...ooh and watermelon
-Road trip to Ohio to visit my favorite girl in the world... and Josh too I guess (j/k of course you're still my favy!)
-Learn to skateboard
-Go fishing
-Go white water rafting or canoeing (spelling?)...I'm a bit of a wuss!

Anyone game?

Photo Block?

2006-06-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

So, this past Friday at our regular New Glory Shoppe meeting we discussed our soon to be film careers. Our hope is that we can use our talents to create videos for different causes. Our first adventure is to create a video both educational and inspiring about Sex Trafficing. So to get us started I had the task to make a mini film with Lez, I had to find the images and she had to compile them into a video. But as I sit here listening to some Dream Theater I find that I'm at a loss. I tried to find some but with copyrights it's near to impossible, so I tried to take some of my own but I keep falling short. The images that I want, the images that are needed to portray this horrific sin I can not find. I try to wrap my mind around the thought of someone hurting a poor, scared, innocent child but I can't, and don't want to! Oh well, I guess I should keep searching, and praying too, that God will use whatever He can to reach the world about this crime!

Crappy post, I know, it's depressing, but it's a fact of our imperfect society, and a child is the victim. Make a difference! Take a stand!

"Lean on me when you're not strong!"

Fine! I'll change it!

2006-05-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

Just a heads up...I've changed my display name to "Debs"! Apparantly "D-Bra" was causing some controversy! I used D-Bra because it's how people back home use to say my name, but up here people just don't get it! So it's changed! "Debs" is my pet name from Lez, which "Lez" was my pet name for Lesley but since she's been in Toronto everyone calls her Lez so it's not really mine anymore! So now I call her either "bear" or "boo"! I know, I know, it's real cute!

I'll see you cats on the flip flop!

Is there a need?

2006-05-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

So I've been noticing something a lot lately! I've been noticing that the people in our city swear like mad! And that's saying something considering I'm from The Rock...a place with Irish roots...the people there swear a lot however, not like they do here! Up here they drop the F-bomb every three words! And worst of all it doesn't need to be used! Like...okay I understand when someone is upset and what not but people here just use it as fillers..."that was f-ing funny" or "what the "f" was that guy wearing"! I hate it! At Blockbuster everyone swears, customers and employees alike! Is it a culture thing? I hope not but it seems to be. Has our world gotten so ignorant that we have a lack of good words so we fill in the spots with filth? This is when we, as Christians need to step in and look at our own life and words we speak. "Am I lacking intelligence in my words?" Since I've been at Blockbuster I've told everyone that I work with that I go to a Christian university, that my parents are ministers, and that I myself is, obviously, a Christian. So I have to watch what I say, I'm trying to make a good impression for my fellow Christians, and because I want my co-workers to see that not all Christians are these hypocritical or uptight types that you often meet or hear about! I know that if we just step up and show people that there is no need for that kind of language then maybe, just maybe our world will change! Agree? I hope so!

So with all that being said I ask my fellow believers, friends, and bros and sis's in Christ for their support in the knee department...(prayers for those who couldn't read my kryptic message!) It's tough in the world Christian trying to live like the J-man...my prayers are with you all as well! Thanks!

Oh Yeah...just a school update, I got my marks back and I rocked...surprisingly! I did a lot better then I thought I was going to!

Long time to see!

2006-05-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Wow...it's been a while! Well, lets see where to start...I finished the semister just awaiting my marks (Eep), I'm fairly confident though, so that's good! I got a job at Blockbuster! I know surrounded by movies all day...pure torture!:) I actually LOVE it! Even though I'm standing for hours on end but I get to look at movies, help people pick out good ones, and I get 10 free rentals a week...MONEY! I'm catching on fairly quickly with the cash too...it took a bit but I got the computer mastered! New Glory Shoppe is starting to take off with lots of plans and what not! We're doing the service on the 21st so if you're in the big Tdot that day come out and support we'd really love to have you! So the summer in the city, the first time I won't be on the Rock at all for the summer, it's kind of scary and depressing with a little bit of excitement for Canada's Wonderland thrown in there as well! I'm going to be doing my internship with Youth Unlimited this summer as well! Not quite sure which area...maybe Time out for teen moms, and maybe with the new program involving fashion! So Blockbuster and YU for the summer...gonna be busy but it's not camp busy (sigh) which I'm not quite sure how I feel about that!

Well, Toronto...enjoy the sun!

Life!

2006-04-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately! Mainly because I'm "studying" for exams and writing year end papers...but thinking about my life none the less.

For my youth ministry class I had to write a personal growth plan, bare my soul, talk about things I need to improve about my life and send it to the only bully I've ever had! I struggled a lot this semester with that class only because the prof and I didn't see eye to eye and he dealt with it in front of the whole class, hanging me out to dry! I found it extrememly difficult to have to bare my soul for him, only to have him critique it! My mom told me to write the paper for myself, not for him, for me, so I did and I finished it! But what I learned through all that was, what it feels like to truely respect your elders, how to bit my tongue! But I also learned that I really need to follow a plan. I'm someone that flies by the seat of my pants but since I literally mapped out my life for next year I have a guide that I can use, one that will help me grow, learn, and become more healthy!

Another thing that I learned this past week is that, I am incredible out of shape! I've been exercising everyday this week, nothing too hard, but boy am I sore...it's quite sad really! But I'm still working on that! I just need to find a cardio workout that won't build up my calf muscles...they don't need to be any bigger! Ha!

I learned that I LOVE comic book movies...actually I already knew that but I really really learned that this week, if you know what I mean! Last Saturday I bought the Superman boxset with the four movies in it! I watched them all this week while procrastinating studying for exams! Then after I finished those I started Batman...which I realized will lead to Spiderman and then Xmen (which I own)! I'm such a geek!

Moving on, I learned that I need to develop the innocence of a child! Meaning...I was walking home from an exam the other day and there were four children on this walkway that I use, they were there with a sitter or someone like that! As I passed them they all said Hi and were really cute! If only we could all be like children and just say hi to a stranger on the street...the world would be so much more pleasent!

There's something else, not really something I learned because I already knew it but I just realized it again and that is that I miss the Temple real bad! Thursday and Friday night I had the pleasure of hosting four really cool guys at my house...Rideout, Josh, Daniel, and Jon! We had so much fun, I haven't laughed so hard before! They're crazy boys and I can't believe that they're all so grown up...I taught Daniel in his grade four VBS class and now he's in high school! CRAZY! The band was awesome...and really young...everyone's so grown up! I can't believe it! Friday night when they played I cried! I was/am so proud!:)

So yeah! I've learned a lot more things but I can't really remember them so obviously they weren't as important as the other things! LOL!

A little word for thought..."You can't make pizza without cheese...well, you can it just won't be good pizza!" Kevin Sheen (Brendan Leonard Show)! Love It! And it's true!:)

Neat!

2006-04-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

So if you live in Toronto and have not heard about this yet...then you better crawl out from under the rock!

There was a huge manhunt this morning! It was a police invasion that went wrong. One man died at the hands of the police and another with a shotgun wound...however, he escaped and was on the loose! The had the roads shut down at Bayview and steeles and the surrounding area...for those who don't live here...steeles and Bayview is a big intersection, especially at 7:30 in the morning! There were at least 16 cop cars, three helicopters, and special tactics units swarming the area!

This was this first thing I heard about when I woke up this morning! I turned on Breakfast television and there it was, I was like..."Neat! That's like three minutes from my house...and I have to go to school which is even closer to the scene!" It's scary, hearing about things like this that you only see in movies. It's even scarier when you live in the neighbourhood! I describe the scene I saw this morning as something directly from 24! There was a bit of disbelief, a bit of nerves, but mostly shock that our city hasn't gotten this bad! Where did we go wrong? Why is there such evil? Who do we blame? How do we fix it?

I ask myself these questions quite frequently! I think many people ask these questions every day! In my philosophy class we have been talking about evil and where it came from. How God would "allow" evil to happen! If anyone knows about this you'll understand what I mean when I say Theodicy, but for those who don't, theodicy is the theory of evil as it pretains to God. There are many different kinds, there's the "gentle reminder theodicy", the "best of all worlds theodicy", "free will" etc. Does God allow evil? Does God allow sin like this? That's what theodicy is trying to answer. And honestly, I still haven't figured it all out! I know that God gave us free will, so that we can choose between good and evil, and because of this free will he will never "interupt" so to speak! This to some people would be considered evil on God's part, he knows when bad things are going to happen and he doesn't always stop them! But I think that's where we, as Christians, need to step in! We must act as agents of God to show that love, teach the difference between good and evil, not just the sugar coated stuff that we teach now, we need to shock people out of doing evil! It may seem a little sketchy, to say that we're gonna "shock-rock" people, but just think about it! Maralin Manson for example...complete crazy man and when he does anything it's talked about for days! Believe it or not folks, shock-rock works! I don't mean for us to do crazy dangerous things, but use images to teach, testimonies, etc. More than we are now! Have you even been to the court house on 311 Jarvis? It the family and young offenders court...anyone can go! It's heart wrenching to sit in on cases of 13 year old sex offenders! Gah! Where did we go so wrong?? That was my "shock" experience! You should try it sometime! Spend a day with a homeless person and see what he does in a run of a day! Stand outside the local high school where there's drugs galore! Shock Yourself and then fight for good!

Wow! That's a rant! Hopefully a coherent rant! I just get so frustrated with this city sometimes!

Peace...I'm outta here!

Mentoring!

2006-04-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

So I've been looking into mentoring a lot lately...probably due to the fact that I had to read a book about it for my youth ministry class. But it has opened my eyes a bit.

I've always known the importance of mentoring, how efficient it is. But I never thought that it was as great as it is. I say this because I didn't think that I was mentored as a teenager, but as I thought over my paper last night I realized that I was mentored. I was mentored in an unconventional way, a way that according to the book I read would not be considered a mentoring relationship. I said screw the authors, I know that I was mentored by these people!

These people I am talking about it the kitchen staff at Camp Starrigan! I've had the wonderful opportunity to work for four summers at that beautiful camp! I love it there, but more because the people are wonderful. How exactly was I mentored? It's called music camp! The most dreaded camp of the summer! It's a week long, during the hottest part of the summer, and with the most people! Not to mention the demands that the facutly throw out every two minutes! But being asked to work music camp is an honor, really! The staff is close, they've all been working there for many years and they know what they're doing. Working with them taught me how to treat people, even though you may feel like ripping their heads off. They taught me to keep my cool, to show kindness, and how to properly cut an orange in to equal slices! I love those ladies, they taught me a great deal...maybe I'll write them a letter and tell them how they have helped me grow!!

Challenge...be a mentor!

The Law of Non-Contradiction

2006-04-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

So this morning I had the wonderful opportunity to teach the teen Sunday School class at ETC! It was a time! There were five of us and we discussed how Christians often contradict what the Bible tells us to do.

One of the exercises that we had to do was right contraditions that Christians make. Things like, not loving our neighbours, worshipping false idols, saying mean things, etc. I started to think about it, about my own life and how I often contradict what the Bible says.

I have a extremely wild tongue and those who know me really well know this. I always use the excuse that it's my love for fashion, make-up, hair, and accessories that causes me to critique people. It's terrible, it isn't my love for those things, it's my sinful, hateful human nature that does. So right now I am starting a new tradition/holiday thingie, I call it...mid-lenten season resolutions. This time (April 2nd) every year I will make a resolution, this years? To tame my tongue!

It sounds kind of ridiculas and maybe the name is but the thought isn't so...I challenge you to join me in this most cheerful of holiday's (I laugh) and make a resolution as well. Also, some accountablitiy for me would be awesome too!

"Go to the places Jesus would have gone, see the people Jesus would have seen, touch the people Jesus would have touched, and love the people Jesus would have loved!" -Leanne Freison

Peace, I'm outta here!

...sigh...

2006-03-30T13:15:00.000-08:00

So...Lez went to Ohio today at like 8 this morning...it is now 4:15 and I'm going through withdrawls! It's crazy...she's been my best friend for 7 years and we had our up and down moments but since she's been living with me we've become super close. She's more than a friend she's my sister (that sounds so cheesy!)! But it's true, when I'm sad she's always there with a hug, when I'm mad she's always there with ears ready for venting, and when I say something really really stupid...conveniently she's always there to make fun of me...hmmm?? But whatever the case is she's got my back!

Bear...thanks and I love you!

2006-03-27T17:57:00.000-08:00

Since I've moved here to Toronto I find that I get emotional really easy. I cry at the drop of a hat, I get heated when someone hurts someone else, and I get so passionate about things that it consumes all my thoughts and actions.

Well, last week I had to write a paper for my Romans class on Paul interpretation of human depravity in Romans 1:18-32. I started to write this paper with the stress that it had to be 10-12 pages and I had no idea where to begin. So I started with the current day and how depraved we are as humans, it sounded nothing like an academic paper but it was totally from me! Allow me to share with you the first few paragraphs:

In a world like today’s one can see the depravity wherever they go. Walking down a street you see the homeless, the drunk, the prostitutes, the addicted, and many more. The depravity of the human race is played out in many scenarios, for example, crimes involving sexual exploitation, murder, stealing, assault, vandalism, etc. Because of such heinous crimes there has been many programs and organizations devoted to the conquering of this depravity. Everyday, one could watch the news and hear a new story about some form of this depravity as it plays out in a larger city or even a small town. It seems that wherever you go, there is always some lagging behind you, following you, until you turn around and realize that it is the world that you live in, the crime and depravity is what is following you. You search for that gold lining, that something that will tear you away from the distrait world of yours, but nothing seems to be there. Every turn you make reveals a door that opens to a new kind of depravity, a new kind of sin that just will not subside. As you run frantic around like a chicken with its head cut off, you search, you plead, you cry, you break, you confess, and you wither, but still nothing, just the depravity of the human race.
Wake up, open you eyes and realize the depravity that you are experiencing is not new to the place that you call home. In fact, it is as old as the beginning of this great planet. There is a saying that every child hates to hear from their parent and that is, "you don’t know how good you got it", what is that statement supposed to mean? We don’t know how good we got it! Instead of stones we have guns to kill with, instead of crucifying, we have the electric chair, instead of lashing with wipes we have beatings with bats and Billy Clubs, instead of murder we have murder, instead of rape we have rape, instead of homosexuality we have homosexuality, instead of idolizing false gods we idolize celebrities. The saying then does not ring as true as one might think. There has never been a time when anyone had it better. Since the fall of man, depravity has become the main suitor for God’s beloved ones. Through out time and history many stories have been told of such human depravity. Writers have pleaded with leaders to help overcome the problems, however, none pleads the most like Paul did in Romans 1:18-32.

I got a little into it...don't ya think? That's the way I am though, heart on my sleeve! Sunday, I went to 614 Regent Park and I got to experience some of the greatest community there. I started to get really emotional towards the end when the enitre congregation stood around in a circle singing! It was beautiful! I was overcome with the thought that these people have nothing in this world, but they worship God and praise Him with a rich heart, while few hours earlier at 11, churches all over the city were in session and many hearts of the wealthy were cold and hard. Not letting God or anyone else in!

I think that is the greatest depravity I've ever experienced!

Pray!

"Take me as I am!"

2006-03-23T08:29:00.000-08:00

I have no need to graduate from university, no need to backpack through Europe, no need to skydive, visit Africa, New Zeland, or Figi, I have no need to get married, have my eight kids, watch them grow up and have kids of their own...WHY? Because I'm born again in Christ and I saw the greatest concert ever, by the greatest band ever, I can die happy!

That's right ladies and gentlemen I saw Dream Theater live! Granted that my seats sucked and I could hardly see over the guys infront of me but it didn't matter, I could feel the vibrations in my chest and that was AWESOME!

Highlights:
-Eating at the Hard Rock Cafe with my cousin Dale (who went to the concert with me) and watching all the DT fans trickle in...it's true all their fans are either metal heads or computer nerds!
-Feeling the energy of the fans as we waited in line to go in!
-Buying my first offical piece of DT merch...I'm sure there will be many more pieces to come!
-Having the house lights go down and waiting with great anticipation for that first pound by Portnoy's drumstick
-...and then it happens!
-Watcing the lights on Portnoy's drumkit light up with each hit!
-Seeing Jordan Rudess play his keyboard with his left hand while stretching across with his right to play a tricked out finger board!
-Watching John Myung and John Petrucci, in the middle of Octarvium, stand face to face and play each other's instrament!
-Watching Portnoy walk from one kit to the next all the while he's playing!
-Being able to watch in person how fast both of the John's finger's move along their strings!
-The wicked awesome cartoon for Octavarium!
-Hearing Rudess play a beautiful keyboard solo and then transition into Wait For Sleep!
-Hearing James Labrie yell "Hell-o Tor-on-to"!
- Peruvian Skies...enough said!
-During Octavarium the slideshow of all the different artists/album covers that are featured in the song!
-Getting to call my brother during As I Am and letting him listen!

All in all the night was pretty solid, except that I lost my bus pass! And I didn't get to share it with my brother, who would have loved to have been there!

Go, all of you now and buy a Dream Theater cd, trust me...you'll love them!

It was a Time!

2006-03-14T20:33:00.000-08:00

So, tonight I had the pleasure of attending the weekly small group for ETC-NGS! Usually I have class but this week it was cancelled...MONEY!

Tonight Ashley led us and we talked about how we have to work together as one in order to reach our full capacity in Christ! It was dead on for where we're at with NGS right now. Although not all of us could be there it was still a time!

Afterwards we got to a podcastin'! That's right ladies and gents, within the next few weeks Lez, Gordy and myself will be featured on the first podcast for sendthefire.ca! Hopefully Ashley and Phil can get something good from our 35 minutes of crazy ETC ramblings! But we did get to some serious talk! Ashley wanted to discuss something that most young people have to deal with and that is identity! The three of us told our personal stories of how we dealt with high school and what not! Then she asked us to give a peice of advice to those teens out there!

It was funny and interesting to start talking about what we were like back in the day. I learned that I'm the biggest goober ever and that my life was super dull compared to others! But I'm glad that I never did anything REALLY bad...who am I kidding? I didn't do anything bad in high school! Even though I never struggled with who I was back then, it wasn't until I moved to the big TO that I went through that awkward "finding yourself" stage! And about 2 1/2 years later I finally can say that I'm starting to understand who I am and where I'm headed! But it's still tough, but God is carrying me so I'm cool!

I learned something this year however, LEAVE IT TO GOD! What ever it is, just give it to God to handle, until you know for sure what to do with it! It actually works!

<><

What the FLIP!

2006-03-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

The flippin' Montreal Canadians traded Jose Theodore! What the...I don't know if I'm more shocked or upset! Teddy hasn't been doing well this season but...he's so hot! No...bad...he is a good goalie! The stupid Avs are taken all our goalies! Man! Gosh! But on the bright side Aebischer is half decent! Heh! Oh Theodore...you break my heart!

...Tear...

Oh Don!

2006-03-07T05:45:00.000-08:00

As you can tell by my profile I'm a big fan of Donald Miller. Well, this past week I bought his new book called, "To Own A Dragon; Reflections on Growing Up Without A Father". Now as you already know I've been blessed to grow up with a wonderful father, so why would I want to read this book? Because I love Don! If you haven't read any of his stuff you should he's awesome!

Anyways, this book is all about him and how he coped with the different things of life without a dad. It's a good, easy read, mainly due to the fact that it was written with the idea that teenaged boys without fathers were gonna read it. However, I've been touched by this book as well. In the chapter about sex, Donald explains how he was talking with a fraternity at the University of Texas. They were talking about how hard it was for them to be "Christians" at that school because there was so much drinking and sex going on. Don said something that spoke to me as a woman, here's how it played out,

"But women don't withhold sex. It doesn't work like that any more," a guy from the back of the room stated.

"That's true," I said. "Women are imitating men, I think. The presuppostion is that men are right, and in order for a women to be successful, she should not act like a woman but like a man. Thanks for the compliment, but I disagree. I think men need women to be women, and we need to be made to jump through some hoops. If a woman withholds sex until she gets wants, we are all better for it."

I love that, and the funny thing is it's true! We (women) try so hard to find our place in the world that we forget to act like a woman. It's time to make the men jump through hoops, ladies...it's time!:)

Gold!

Love!

2006-03-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I did a fair bit of crying! A fair bit of sighing! A fair bit of wishing! A fair bit of praying! A fair bit of praising! A fair bit thinking!

Yes, I went to a wedding! Josh and Jenn Ivany's wedding! It was beautiful, casual, full of praise and love! Of course Josh sang to his beautiful bride a song that really tugged at my heart strings (which isn't hard)! My heart strings were also tugged by the best man/ brother of the groom speech! There is just something about seeing a grown man cry that just gets me everytime! It was all beautiful!

They had a worship service after the reception, where the guest had the opportunity to say words of inspiration and love to the bride and groom! We also sang some songs...How Great Thou Art...money!

But I started to think about love, which is normal for a wedding! But I thought about the love of a man to a women, love from a father to a daughter, love between brothers, and God's love! The entire day was not just a wedding celebration but a day of covenant between God and two people in love with each other and God! I thought it was beautiful to see everyone thanking God, and praising God, not just offering congratulations to the happy couple!

I hope that when that day comes for me to get married, I stay focused on God and His grace and blessings He has and will continue to give me!

Josh and Jenn...you're an inspiration...congrats...and God Bless!

So, we went to Windsor!

2006-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

That's right, we went to Windsor! East Toronto/The New Glory Shoppe took a road trip!

When Gordy and Tina were asked to do a youth retreat type weekend at South Windsor Corps, they invited us to come along, so...of course we went to Windsor! It was a whole lot of fun!

We arrived in Windsor at around 10/10:30ish in the evening, where we had a practise and then went off to our respected sleeping quarters...the boys in their totally awesome hostle appartment with food, Lez and I at an officer's house, and Gord and Tina...I'm not really sure where they stayed! Saturday we met at the corps for 9 am and had another practise, then around 10:15 we had a breakfast, with all the youth from the corps! Then we began the sessions after breakfast! Gordy had the sessions structured in a way that allowed lots of worhsip, scripture, and a speak that was fitting to what the youth are going through!

It went really well, there is a great group of young people there, dispite all the gum chewing:) Personally, I really enjoyed the Saturaday evening speak where Gordy read from Ezekiel 22:30 which says,

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."

He then challenged us to stand in the gap. He wanted us to actually get up and move so he had chairs put out where we could stand between them symbolizing the gap. That hit me with the full force of the Spirit and I thought only of ETC and NGS! We're called to stand in that gap and we're gonna! Watch out East Toronto...New Glory Shoppe is coming at ya like a meteor to Smallville! Hoo Shaw!

"These sandwhichs are money...I saw Transamerica!"
Gold!

Holiness (gasp)

2006-02-16T06:08:00.000-08:00

Amidst all the loaded conversations on the blogs about the analogy used for holiness at youth together I discoved something! Romans 6:22!

"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness." (NIV)

Last night when I was reading chapter 6 for my Romans class, I read that verse and my eyes were opened. We as Christians all strive for a life holiness, hence the explicit anaology used this weekend. We need to bear the fruit of Jesus, we need to "give birth" to Jesus, the reason for the intercourse with a condom and masturbation analogy. However, as I read Romans 6:22 I got that you become holy in a different way.

Because we are free from the bondage of sin, we recieve a freedom from God; instead of being bound by the chains of sin, death and hell, we are enslaved to God through, love, kindness, and forgiveness. These are the benefits that we reap, these are the benefits that leads to our holiness! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that you have to be a New Creation Christian to show love, kindness, and forgiveness, but what I am saying is that because we are slaves to God, He shows us love, kindness, and forgiveness first hand. If we have acknowledged who Jesus is, if we've confessed with our mouths the Good News then we know of God's faithfulness to us. Because of this, we have benefits that non-believers do not have. HEAVEN!

These benefits from God leads to holiness in that, we understand that God will forgive us for our stupid human nature but because of his love and kindness to us, we should want to live as pure as we can for Him.

Romans is all about the covenant that God kept to His Choosen People even though we break ours daily. Think about this, we worship gods, we have false idols, we take the Lords name in vein, we do not keep the Sabbath holy, we dishonor our parents, we murder, we commint adultery, we steal, we slander, we are envious of other people. Does any of this sound familier? Yes, it is the ten commandments, but in your own life, do you break any of these promises found in our ultimate covenant with God? I know I have! Which hurts my heart because I know that I broke some of these things and more and the entire time I did/do God still remains faithful to me.

God sent Jesus to die, in order for Him to fulfill His covenant to us! People who did not remain faithful to Him! How amazing is that? Sit down and think about that for a bit! When you do, you realize that the benefits we recieve from God, we really don't deserve! So we HAVE to strive to remain pure and holy just to honor God!

Does that make sense? Romans is incredible complicated and I could have interpreted this passage wrong but it made sense in my mind and I had to get it out!

Heavy!

P.S: Props to Stephen for the great message he brought to us on the Saturday night at YT! There were soul's won for Christ!

Awwwwwwwww!

2006-02-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

So I'm here sitting in my science class and I got nothing!

No really I got nothing! This class is supposed to be a Christianity and Science class and as of right now it's only been science! We had our midterm this morning and I'm postive that I completely bombed it! I'm not worried though! Why? Because I know that God does not have quantum mechanics in my future! Gah!

Although I prefer death while sitting in this class, I have learned a very valuable lesson...thinking you know what's going to happen is not always the case! I registered for this class thinking it was gonna be about issues that are relevant to our lives today as Christians in a world of science! For example, evolution, creation, stem-cell research, cloning, etc! Instead, I need to know equations for calculating the circumfrences of planets, moons, and the earth that will give me an idea of how far a satelite is from pluto...I can't even explain it properly! Just know this...IT SUCKS!

The phrase, "fully rely on God" is very appropriate for this class...and that's exactly what I'm gonna do!

Life sucks but someone's gotta live it!

P.s: that's my science prof above! He's oober smart which makes the class even harder! Just look at 'em...he even looks smart!

This is Awesome!!

2006-02-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

This past weekend the Ontario Central Division went to Collingwood/Blue Moutain for our youth together ski trip and it was awesome! What more could you ask for in a weekend...New Glory Shoppe leading worship...Steve Court preaching...and 8 hours on the slopes...that just has excitement written all over it! We got there at around 8ish on Friday night and the band was already warmed up and ready to PARTY! We ate pizza, listen to the word, and worshipped God! The way every Friday night should be! Saturday we headed for the slopes at 8 am, spent all day there and that evening we went to another church in Collingwood. We joined them for a "delish" spaghetti dinner and then worship and dug into the word again! Sunday morning we had a service with the Collingwood Community Church and its soldiers!

The Spirit was there this weekend and a lot of praying was being done! The theme of the weekend was Holy Temple and Steve did a great job of getting God's word out to us! We also learned how lucky we are here in Canada to have freedom! Thanks Edi!

I learned a very important thing this weekend! I suck at snowboarding! I went down the bunny slope twice and this other, intermediate hill once! I'm terrible! I felt like a huge loser wearing an orange jacket and white pants because I didn't stay up on my board for more than five seconds! People from space could see how bad I was! But it was the experience that matters...and plus I did invent another way of boarding...one foot in your bindings and kneel on your board with your other leg! It looks cool, and when you wip out you have a shorter distance to fall! I'm a goober!

The weekend rocked! The hotel was sketchy! The worship was beautiful! Snowboarding is cool...except when the boarder is me! Steve spoke fire and brimstone! Collingwood is beautiful! With it's ups and downs the weekend will not be forgotten!

I didn't give my testimony of thanksgiving because I was really sore and couldn't get up so I'll give it here...I'm thankful that our God is so cool and amazing that He created the Earth and it's beauty! The piercing blue sky, snow covered mountains, the firey yellow sun, and the snowboarder!

Be Bispiritual!

The Army

2006-02-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

I've been having this beef with one of my professors! He's been ragging on the Army in every class we've had thus far this semister. He talked about the uniforms as being just a traditional value that we have. He talked about us not doing communion and how it's not right! Then last class he went on a huge rant about how wrong we are for not performing water Baptisms. I was getting so frustrated and all my friends around me knew it too! When I talked to my dad about it he got really upset, saying that the prof has no right to say that about any church during class time and that I should have said something. But he didn't want to have an arguement in class at the time, and I was just too afraid that I would say something that wasn't very nice!

I'm waiting for next class to see if he says anything and if he does then I'll speak up but if he doesn't then I keep my comments to myself! I'll keep you posted!

For those of you out there reading this that is Salvation Army, don't be like me and keep quiet...speak out because the Army is amazing and no one has a right to judge! No worries though, whether it's through a paper or a presentation I'll think of some clever way to rebutall! Without sarcasm of course! I Laugh!!

Blood and Fire<><

Silence

2006-02-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

Last night as I laid in bed, watching the numbers roll by on my clock, I had an epiphany! The saying, "don't just do something, sit there" has great merit in our world today! Let me explain!

I went to bed last night at like 12:15ish which may not seem real late to some of you night owls out there but for me...I had a three hour class starting at 8:30 on the first part of Romans 3! Wonderful class but the prof just talks the entire time and those who know me well...I have an incredibly short attention span! But more importantly, I need sleep and a lot of it to function. The Bible verse that says, "the joy comes with the morning" does not apply to me at all!!

But anyways, it was getting late and my mind was all over the place so I wasn't getting sleepy in the least bit. I tried to make myself tired, I kept my eyes closed, I pictured myself in a room with black walls, ceiling and floor! I just laid there with my eyes open stairing at the ceiling and nothing was happening! Until, at exactly 1:00am the inevitiable happened...a frate train went by! It passed by perfectly insinc with the hour.

At first, I thought "perfect! This is gonna really put me to sleep!" (sarcasm) It was loud, long, and believe it or not soothing! That stupid train became like a constint hum that put my mind to rest and I actually started to fall asleep! Like really? No really! It was great, I was in that in between place on my way to getting at best 4 1/2 hours of sleep! And then when I was almost gone, it pasted completely by!

The silence woke me up!

I got so frustrated! I was so close but yet so far away again! But in my moment of sheer selfish grief God revealed something to me! Our world is terrifed of silence! Think about it, in a run of a day how many minutes do you have to just sit there? We keep ourselves so busy with work, school, church, sports, music lessons, dance, movies, television, etc! We're never not doing something! This rings true for me! Silence is the proverbial gun that is fireing rounds next to our ears! It's a noise that we just want to escape from! We go stir crazy! I know for me I have to either, turn on music, the tv, be on my computer, reading a book, doing work, etc., I never just sit there!

I'm challenging myself this week and I want to challenge you! When you find yourself in that deathly moment of silence "don't just do something, sit there"! Learn the discipline of solitude! You don't need to read the Bible, or pray (although you should do that everyday too) just sit and meditate. Soak in God, soak in His presence, His love, his creation! Maybe, just maybe the silence will be welcomed instead of feared!

Selah

Fo' Sho'...

2006-02-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I've done it! I got me a blog, now hopefully people will actually read it!:)

To start I thought it appropriate to explain my blog address. Well, it's a Bible verse found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and all it says is to "pray continually"! I love this verse because it's so awesome. It's a verse that's short, sweet and to the point. It isn't hard to understand, and really easy to obey if you think about it! When you're on the bus, instead of analyzing the person's outfit across from you, PRAY! If you're driving and get stuck in traffic instead of flippin' the bird PRAY! In the shower? Pray! Walking to Starbucks...Pray!!! For goodness sakes, when you're on the john...PRAY! Just a thought...no worries though, I'm still working praying ever moment I can, hopefully this blog will remind me too!

I also thought that maybe I should explain my blog title! Some of you may never have heard that saying before but hopefully you'll start to use it after you know what it means! In the military fireing a volley is like fireing a canon or some sort of bomb type thing. In the Salvation Army fireing a volley is shouting praises to God! So when someone says fire a volley you have to reply by saying amen or hallelujah! Usually in the Army we shout it after a rip, roaring song like O Boundless Salvation or Victory in Jesus. Some, at the end of the song will shout out Fire A Volley and everyone will reply by shouting AMEN!

Well, that's it folks for now keep checking back, hopefully I'l be posting often!

Fire a Volley...(you say amen:)!!)

Eh-Oh!