Sunday Ramblings

So a few things on my mind this chilly Sunday afternoon:
On one of our local (winnipeg) music station, they were talking about things you have done with your best friend and so anyways this young, 5 year old girl called in and was talking about this best friend she has had since she was 2.  Anyways that was all fine and all..but then she requested a song.  I know the song, its been on the air ways for quite sometime, and there is even an M and M commercial with it (which is, sort of funny I must admit), but the song is "sexy and I know it" by LMFAO.  I admit, like most of their song, the beat IS catchy...but do people actually stop and read the lyrics?  well, if not-here are a few pulled from the song:

"When I walk on by, girls be looking like damn he fly
I pimp to the beat, walking on the street in my new lafreak, yeah
This is how I roll, animal print, pants outta control,
It's Red-Fu with the big ass fro
And like Bruce Leroy I got the glow"

When I'm at the mall, security just can't fight them off
And when I'm at the beach, I'm in a Speedo trying to tan my cheeks (what)
This is how I roll, come on ladies it's time to go
We headed to the bar, baby don't be nervous
No shoes, no shirt, and I still get serviced (watch)


Ah... Girl look at that body [x3]
Ah... I work out
Ah... Girl look at that body [x3]
I work out

When I walk in the spot (yeah), this is what I see (ok)
Everybody stops and they staring at me
I got passion in my pants and I ain't afraid to show it, show it, show it, show it

I'm sexy and I know it [x2]

I'm sexy and I know it...
Check it out [x2]
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle yeah [x3]
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle yeah, yeah
Do the wiggle man
I do the wiggle man
Yeah
I'm sexy and I know it"


SO my question is..what is a 5 YEAR OLD doing requesting that song? The only song they should be asking for, is disney (although those can be dirty too..what is society coming to!!?)


Now, as a youth leader and just being 24 years old-non of this should surprise me (the lyrics, the 5 year old requesting it etc etc).  I am not dumb nor nieve. I know the struggles young people faced (having faced some myself too), I could share stories I have heard over and over (most from young females, and experiences that other friends have gone through.


Again, what is this society coming to?!?!


A week a go, mom and I were in the city for a 'girls weekend' (which was a blast).  anyways we were in a local Aeropostal store and as I looked around-my hear sank...it broke into a zillion pieces.  Posters, 'models', size 2-4 clothing all over the place.  Heck-the only way people can fit into those clothes is if they ARE anorexic (please note a hint of sarcasm in that statement...but really- how bad/pathetic is that?)  As I was waiting in line to pay for something (yes from that store as I did manage to find a shirt that did fit...amazing i know!) there was a mom and her teenage daughter in front of me.  No, I was not creeping on them, but I did over hear their conversation.  based on what I did hear (and ssee) it was quite clear to hear self confidence issues coming from this girl...and this girl came from a split/divorced home (based on a few, "not need" comments coming from the mother).  keep in mind, this was all said while waiting in a line.  Ok now my heart was officially broken....

That day, also happend to break records (temperature wise) and so, people were out with "next to nothing on" (aka really really short shorts, and a few (ok a lot) sizes too small of tanks).  This could be a long summer...

SO with all of this, I ask you- how, as a female, youth leader and, most importantly-along with being HIS daughter, the daughter of THE KING, how does an ambassador for YAHWEH manage in a society where the world is telling us EVERYTHING BUT the TRUTH?

How do I tell my girls, that GOD loves them so very much.  NO matter how they look, or what size they are?  how do I raise their confidence in themselves so that they are able to figure out what are satan lies and what are God's Truth's.  how do I encourage them to fully and completely embrace the love God lavishes upon us..freely?!?


How do I, fight the lies that satan puts in my head.  The answer is clear in Ephesians 6

he Armor of God

" ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

The answer is clear, but believing it, seeking the Truth admists the lies and standing FIRM with GOD-is tough.   I am not looking for a `walk in the park`(if I was, I wouldnt have chosen to follow Christ).  Like I said earlier, I AM the daughter of the LORD, an ambassador for Truth and a warrior.  More importantly I was/ am Created in HIS image.  And, if you dont believe me-check out Genesis 1:27.  Enough said.

thunderstorm

March 19, 2012 and we just had our first thunderstorm of the season...weird.. but I tell yah-I love T-storms! They are SO powerful and awesome (despite the horrible damage they can do/do).
Is it safe to say "spring is in the air?" or will we be getting snow once again?!? all I gotta say is, crazy Weather!!

A great day to be alive!

 Today is a great day to be alive.  I am so thankful to my LORD.  i would be so lost without HIM. My prayer today, and for the rest of this year and life I am given, is that I will continue to fall in love with HIM more and more every day and that He will continue to draw to me and use me for His glory.

Blessed

This is a small reason why I love my youth! Saturday evening-I took a few of them out for supper.  We had a good time..in fact it was a LOT of fun (as per normal!)  Like seriously-not matter what mood i am in, the youth lift it.  Saturday was no different.  Rough morning (with grandparents and all) but shooting some pictures in the afternoon with one youth, and then going out for supper and then hanging out after with these same girls-total and complete blessing. Today at work-I got a delivery-they say a picture is worth a thousands words...so here are a few! Arn't they beautiful!  Yeps...I get to spend time with the best people ever! God has totally blessed me!

This is getting Old..

Just wanna say..that visiting my grandparents (yes now they are both there..) in the Hospital..is getting very old, very quick!!  Just in case you didnt get the Memo God!! I would like to visit them at their homes, NOT in the hospital.  I guess its time for You (God) and I to have yeet another heart to heart! And this time...please listen to me k?

winter fun

its amazing how therapeutic taking photo's can be! At least for me!

Beautiful day to finally take some winter pictures!

Always a reason to smile :)

"Argh" moment with God

Honestly-God and I, we have our moments.  Its all about having a relationship with Him right? And relationships are not perfect, so why should my relationship with God, be any different? (I mean, other than the fact that HE created ME in HIS image...*stops and ponders that thought*)

If I could talk to God "face to face" here is how I see/feel my side of the conversation would be right about now....

"Ok God, what the heck.  You KNOW I do not like Hospitals.  Yes yes I know you gifted people with the gift of healing and medicine and well hospitals come with that territory, but really I am SO SICK of visiting my grandma, and my grandpa-one from each of the family-in there! Like what the heck. I know I know-You are God and I am not (thank goodness!).  But how am I suppose to respond when I am there, visiting them-when another older lady comes up to me (a patient there as well) and begins speakign to me in low german but switches to english when you realizes I have no idea what she is talking about and then she goes on to say "I dont know where I am or why I am here".  Or when I am told of a young boy-battling cancer a few rooms down..a kid who should be out playing hockey with friends, learning in school and fighting with siblings instead of lying there sick. How do I (if its possible) mend the tension in the extended family because of all of this hospital stuff going on? How do I tell my mom "it will be ok" when really, I have no freaking clue.  what do I say to my grandma when she asks me why is she still here-when all her friends are rejoicing along side you right now? How am I suppose to respond when all she wants-is to just go HOME to be with you?  What am I suppose to feel when I walk out and see the stars and moon shining bright-a very visible sign to me that you are indeed, right next to me-holding me and holding out Your hand to me with the look in Your eyes asking me to trust You.  How am I suppose to act or feel. Part of me just wants to give up. Yet a greater part of me just wants to hold on tighter and tighter and never let go.  God I know  the amazing things and wonders you have done throughout the bible.  You sent YOUR SON to DIE for me.  How DARE i even question Your amazing love for me.  I have NO RIGHT to.  God you are the same God now, as you were when you heard Moses' cries of deliverance for the Israelites, or sara and abraham's cry for a child when they were old.  You stuck beside David-a Shepard boy-as he defeated Goliath and went on to rule.  You were there with Job as everythign was taken from him yet he still praised you through it all.  Your hand was upon mary as she learned of the child she was carrying.  You were with Christ as He hung on the cross.  YOU WERE THERE through it all.  And I know, despite me being angry with You and despite me having my "moments" with you-that YOU ARE HERE NOW. 

Through it-I will praise you O my LORD.  Use these hands for Your Glory.  Work through me to touch the lives that you put in my life.

God I may not get everything and it may/will take me a while to catch on-but I am learning. I am learning from the Creator who is totally and 100% completely in control. Praise God for that!

Camera

Once again, God blew my mind this week (in a total and complete good way) and to do it, He used my camera yet again.  I know from traveling international-how GOOD of a connection tool it is.  Seriously-pictures are universal and need no language.  I pull my camera out and kids literally swarm to it beggin  for their picture to be taken and then hurry to see it on the display (this is often followed by huge laughter and smiles! Warms my heart each and every time!!)

Anyways, this experience with my camera-didnt happen overseas-in fact, it was in my own church...literally right out my back door on the strreets as we were taking pictures.  Wednesday night at youth, we had our annual "Bridging the Gap" crokinale tournament with the 55+ in our church.  As the evening was winding down etc, I pulled out my camera and started snapping some pics (pretty normal).  Anyways I was chatting with a few youth, when a few other girls came up and started inquiring about my camera (what kind, how much etc?) so I said "here, take it and snap some pics" .  Well needless to say-they were floored! They loved it! (and I got some pretty awesome pictures from them as well!)

then last night-I met another youth for coffee and that actually turned into coffee and a walk and random pictures at night (not to mention there was a BEAUTIFUL snow fall).  This youth, just mentioned how much the other ones the night earlier loved playing/having my camera.  That statement right there, warmed my heart again too!  That is a main reason why I love my camera, and why I have it.  Too allow God to use it when connecting into the lives of those around me (whether thats at youth, or in the Philippines, or the African slums).  Its amazing how something so small and insignificant-my camera-can be and how GOD can and does, use it! I love it!

so here are a few pics from last night! enjoy! I know we did!