One thing I love about traveling and meeting new people is that, if you make a faith connection (aka-realize you are talking to/met another Christian), you INSTANTLY have this solid connection BECAUSE of the shared faith in God. I love saying that I, literally, have Christian friends/fellow believers praying for me WORLD WIDE (how awesome is that!)
I like technology because despite time change/zones etc, now a days you can totally keep up with one another. For example- I just finished talking to a good friend of mine in the Philippines. We walked together in person, here on this earth for not even 72 hours...yet the way her faith, her sisters' faith and the faith of their church, blessed and encourgaed me while I was out there, and even to this day...well-its ONLY a God thing! I love it how she still calls me "sis' (after all, we are sisters in Christ) and how even still, from millions of miles away, she encourages me. Its really quite something.
God is good! God is GREAT~ He is doing amazing things in this world through HIS people! Let us not forget those fellow believer around the globe. Spend time right now in prayer for them, I know I am.
I cant wait for Heaven, for the day when we will be reunited and sing and dance and shout and praise God for all enternity together! What a glorious day that will be!
"Father God, thank you for Krista and her family in the Philippines. Bless her God. Continue to shine through her. Encourage her and keep her. Provide for her. Help her with her schooling. walk that one step ahead of her-paving way and carrying her when she needs to be carried. "
Monday, September 26, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Fall, coffee, walk, talks, God
If you were to pass me now on the street and ask me how I am doing-my answer will be "i am fine" or "I am good", and honestly, I can say that with peace in my heart and complete sincerity! Which makes me so happy to say/type/realize that! (given the last few days/weeks)
Through friends, long talks, journal-ling, scripture, prayer and a lot talking to God (which is like prayer...but yet different...) I know why (or a good reason why) my last few weeks have been like they were. Actually, a piece of the 'puzzle' I just put together now as I am writing this.
But I know for a fact, that this last while-the Spiritual warfare has been very evident in my life-its hard to explain, but it cant be anything other than that. My heart was very unsettled (not in a "I restless with life/wanna get out/travel" sort of way...but in a "I am lost, God help me" sort of way) I could not figure this out..why now God? After a trip or a "spiritual high', I get...but Africa was like months ago (and yes I know reverse Culture shock can happen up to 6 months later-but it never has really affected me, so i dont think it is/was that), and I have not had a 'Spiritual High' so to speak for a while...so I was really confused.
Then it dawned on me..Youth has started up again. How does youth play into it you may ask? Something I love doing? anticipate every week? time given on the side to hang out with youth? This is a GOOD thing-totally and completely, 200%. However, that is totally my point. The devil knows just how GOOD it is, how we are fighting the GOOD fight. he hates it. I love it. I know that is why he was pulling harder...making life difficult for me, causing me to question, stumble and fall. Praise GOD that HE was there (as HE always is) to lift me up and to breathe Life into me once again. A part of this process-was in fact-youth. Kick off was great, hanging out was a blast, but last week's bible study-hearing them Praise God through worship, through reading scripture and even just by showing up-by choosing to be there, and then hanging out after, chatting and sharing life with one another-what a HUGE blessing they are!
We (as leaders) had an incident a while back where, in sense, our youth ministry got challenge, almost to a point where it was called a 'waste of time (not those exact words but that idea). This individual's comment upset me yes, but that too..I knew was satan speaking through-crushing with words. Again, the youth GET it. They really do. People miss out SO much on not spending time with youth, with gettign to know them. They really are 'the next generation' of the church and when I looked around at the youth singing and praising God the way they did-wow look out church and look out world! It is about to be shaken, spun around, turned upside down and inside out! I can not wait for it!
Tonight, I enjoyed a coffee and cake pop with one of these amazing youths. though the cake pop and coffee were really good, the company and conv. was the best. Again, just sharing life and hanging out. I was/am reminded of the fact that we get so caught up in our lives, we forget about those around us. We dont take time to go for coffee any more and just talk. It's sad. It really is. I was reminded why I am sticking around town for another year, and why I am so pumped TO stay here. Investing in people's lives...its totally worth it.
Though we may not see the complete rewards of it here on earth, we will one day...in Heaven. Its gonna be a party there, that I know (and yes I may/will dance to!) but in the mean time, there is lots of work to do here.
So if you are ever looking for me youth nights, well the place you will find me is at youth-investing into the next generation, encouraging, goofing off, learning, growing and praying....
Through friends, long talks, journal-ling, scripture, prayer and a lot talking to God (which is like prayer...but yet different...) I know why (or a good reason why) my last few weeks have been like they were. Actually, a piece of the 'puzzle' I just put together now as I am writing this.
But I know for a fact, that this last while-the Spiritual warfare has been very evident in my life-its hard to explain, but it cant be anything other than that. My heart was very unsettled (not in a "I restless with life/wanna get out/travel" sort of way...but in a "I am lost, God help me" sort of way) I could not figure this out..why now God? After a trip or a "spiritual high', I get...but Africa was like months ago (and yes I know reverse Culture shock can happen up to 6 months later-but it never has really affected me, so i dont think it is/was that), and I have not had a 'Spiritual High' so to speak for a while...so I was really confused.
Then it dawned on me..Youth has started up again. How does youth play into it you may ask? Something I love doing? anticipate every week? time given on the side to hang out with youth? This is a GOOD thing-totally and completely, 200%. However, that is totally my point. The devil knows just how GOOD it is, how we are fighting the GOOD fight. he hates it. I love it. I know that is why he was pulling harder...making life difficult for me, causing me to question, stumble and fall. Praise GOD that HE was there (as HE always is) to lift me up and to breathe Life into me once again. A part of this process-was in fact-youth. Kick off was great, hanging out was a blast, but last week's bible study-hearing them Praise God through worship, through reading scripture and even just by showing up-by choosing to be there, and then hanging out after, chatting and sharing life with one another-what a HUGE blessing they are!
We (as leaders) had an incident a while back where, in sense, our youth ministry got challenge, almost to a point where it was called a 'waste of time (not those exact words but that idea). This individual's comment upset me yes, but that too..I knew was satan speaking through-crushing with words. Again, the youth GET it. They really do. People miss out SO much on not spending time with youth, with gettign to know them. They really are 'the next generation' of the church and when I looked around at the youth singing and praising God the way they did-wow look out church and look out world! It is about to be shaken, spun around, turned upside down and inside out! I can not wait for it!
Tonight, I enjoyed a coffee and cake pop with one of these amazing youths. though the cake pop and coffee were really good, the company and conv. was the best. Again, just sharing life and hanging out. I was/am reminded of the fact that we get so caught up in our lives, we forget about those around us. We dont take time to go for coffee any more and just talk. It's sad. It really is. I was reminded why I am sticking around town for another year, and why I am so pumped TO stay here. Investing in people's lives...its totally worth it.
Though we may not see the complete rewards of it here on earth, we will one day...in Heaven. Its gonna be a party there, that I know (and yes I may/will dance to!) but in the mean time, there is lots of work to do here.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Espresso, girl's night out, The Lion King. 3D. Tim Hortons. Memories
 |
| circle of Life! |
Upon watching it, and having things jump out at me ocassionally (though I did expect more of it then what there was), a few things struck me. First, I was taken back to Africa-specifically the safari part of it...WOW. Second-The incrediable battle between Good (simba and co.) and bad (scar). Needless to say, Good one :D. Third-despite being a kids movie-the theatre was like FULL! and get this, most of the people in there, were like my age if not older! It was awesome!
Finally- God provides. random perhaps, but full of truth! totally needed a girls' night out and what a blast it was!! (you know who you are! thanks so much! and I would be totally game for round two!)
for not having plans on a friday night, the plans I did have up ending-pretty stellar! (and the weekend has like just started:D woot woot!)
Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
small towns
just gonna say-cause its late and I should go to bed
is that I really do not like small towns..specifically-the gossip in them. The way people talk and the way it can totally wreck reputations. I know we shouldnt worry about our reputations...because we should be living "God fearing lives" , but the matter of the fact is...reputations do matter-ESPECIALLY when you make a stand for Christ, cause people will be watching and analyizing more and more of you life-what you do, how you act and what you say.
Which is why, I choose right now NOT to say whats really on my mind, but this..if people have something to say to me..please, do me a favour and say it directly to my face. I am a big girl really, I can handle it (despite what some may believe). Rather, face me instead of spreading junk around town and having it be 'coffee talk of the day'..come on people..grow up.
is that I really do not like small towns..specifically-the gossip in them. The way people talk and the way it can totally wreck reputations. I know we shouldnt worry about our reputations...because we should be living "God fearing lives" , but the matter of the fact is...reputations do matter-ESPECIALLY when you make a stand for Christ, cause people will be watching and analyizing more and more of you life-what you do, how you act and what you say.
Which is why, I choose right now NOT to say whats really on my mind, but this..if people have something to say to me..please, do me a favour and say it directly to my face. I am a big girl really, I can handle it (despite what some may believe). Rather, face me instead of spreading junk around town and having it be 'coffee talk of the day'..come on people..grow up.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Biting my tongue...REALLY hard...
I am biting my tongue...really hard...
it hurts but I will keep doing it
sunday's sermon-was once again directed to me..I am sure.
My tongue can either be used for good...or for bad
Right now, I choose to bite it hard...otherwise it would be used for bad
I yelled at the devil the other day that he would NOT have me or my soul
I stand by that, as hard as it is...as injustice as it is
Ulitmatley, through Christ I WILL come out on top.
That is a promise that Christ made to me when HE bore my sins on the cross.
That is a promise I will chose to believe, follow and trust.
it hurts but I will keep doing it
sunday's sermon-was once again directed to me..I am sure.
My tongue can either be used for good...or for bad
Right now, I choose to bite it hard...otherwise it would be used for bad
I yelled at the devil the other day that he would NOT have me or my soul
I stand by that, as hard as it is...as injustice as it is
Ulitmatley, through Christ I WILL come out on top.
That is a promise that Christ made to me when HE bore my sins on the cross.
That is a promise I will chose to believe, follow and trust.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Thursday, September 08, 2011
9/11: 10 year Memorial
I clearly remember where I was 10 years ago...I was in grade 8. The day started off like any other day...I was heading off to school..why not right? a new school year just started so why not go off to it? wow, little did I know how my day would change...how the world would change from that point on. I remember still going to school-still not fully sure of the impact that was happening south of the border, or the affect it would have on me years later (with airport security and just the world in general).
I remember being in grade 8 and watching it unfold on the tv there...beyound that, I do not remember what we learned or did that day...
Now, 10 years later, the day once again draws near...its a day that is the same every year-memorials and more memorials ever where you look-news, tv, paper etc. Now dont get me wrong, I think memorials are a great thing-people need to remember...but always 're living it'? already-I have seen 3 9/11 specials on tv (and I am sure there are more to come). Yes, it is interesting stuff that they show for sure, and people's stories DO need to be told...but I still dont know how I feel about it all.
What happend that day, is tragic, 3000 plus lives lost forever, families and friends-lives changed forever. Parents lost, kids, dad, mom's, firefighters, police etc etc and the list goes on and on.
But what about the Horn of Africa-right now-the drought going on? lives being lost? what about the fighting in the middle east (lots that has increase since 9/11), and all of those lives lost? (soliders and civilians alike)
I know its a no win situation...the world is full of evil, and until Christ comes again-it will remain full of evil...however let us not forget the good that is around us.
I remember being in grade 8 and watching it unfold on the tv there...beyound that, I do not remember what we learned or did that day...
Now, 10 years later, the day once again draws near...its a day that is the same every year-memorials and more memorials ever where you look-news, tv, paper etc. Now dont get me wrong, I think memorials are a great thing-people need to remember...but always 're living it'? already-I have seen 3 9/11 specials on tv (and I am sure there are more to come). Yes, it is interesting stuff that they show for sure, and people's stories DO need to be told...but I still dont know how I feel about it all.
What happend that day, is tragic, 3000 plus lives lost forever, families and friends-lives changed forever. Parents lost, kids, dad, mom's, firefighters, police etc etc and the list goes on and on.
But what about the Horn of Africa-right now-the drought going on? lives being lost? what about the fighting in the middle east (lots that has increase since 9/11), and all of those lives lost? (soliders and civilians alike)
I know its a no win situation...the world is full of evil, and until Christ comes again-it will remain full of evil...however let us not forget the good that is around us.
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