Hey guys!
School is super busy. I've definitely been thinking about blogging, but not doing it. Hopefully I can start doing more than thinking.
But in the spirit of the craziness that's going on here, I'd like to pose a few questions to you. Don't just read them, but think about them! Hopefully you'll get some spiritual thoughts in motion.
1. When was the last time you sat down, just you and the Word, and really read it and asked God to guide you? Do it. Now.
2. When was the last time you smiled and said hello to a stranger. Did you know that you communicate so much to a person just by smiling at them?
3. When was the last time you called an old friend just to see how they were doing?
4. When was the last time you told someone you love them?
Are these questions cheesy and cliche? Of course they are. But think about them. The fact that you are busy does not get you off the hook for everyday kindness and meditation in the Word. Get to it people!
Friday, September 30, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
My Redecorating!!
Well, sometimes you just have to update your look. Throw away those pointy leather boots, get rid of the plaid sweaters and doc martens. How do y'all like it? This neat thingy to the side is a Flickr slideshow, and it's completely free to do (you get 20mb of uploads per month... that sucks, but i got all those pics in there!). So yeah, let me know what you think about it, because I certainly took a long time putting it all together!
Edit: I got the comments working again, so you can tell me how beautiful i am now ;)
Edit: I got the comments working again, so you can tell me how beautiful i am now ;)
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
My "UnDragoning"
I'm taking a very interesting class this year for my worship major called Ministry to Worship Arts Community. One of the books I have to read for the class is, as Mr. Puls puts it, a wonkablaster (man that guy has awesome words).
The book is called by Leanne Payne. I must say, I've never really read any Lewis before (other than Screwtape Letters) and I must say, this guy is a theological and metaphorical GENIUS!
Anyway, the story I'd like to share with you all today is taken from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:
Eustace is a greedy boy who, caring only for 'facts,' has never been to the country of Narnia. The reality of Narnia doesn't fit his idea of 'facts.' He has overheard his cousins, the Pevenses, talking about their secret country, and thereafter loves to tease and bully them about their belief. He never believes that they have really been there. But one day, along with is cousins, he is suddenly 'pulled' into Narnia though a painting of a ship under full sail. Being tossed into a Narnian sea and hauled up into a Narnian boat is about the worst thing that could happen to the selfish Eustace, for he lands right in the middle of people who have learned long ago that it isn't a joyful thing to be selfish. And their joy and unselfishness puts him out of sorts.
One day an even more dreadful thing happens to him: 'Sleeping on a dragon's hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself.' A dragon is not only a selfish monster that hoards treasures, but it is also a very lonely creature. One cause of its loneliness is that it likes nothing better to eat than fresh dragon as well as other animals and human beings. Eustace begins to experience how lonely it is to be a monster. He begins to realize what kind of person he has been. And as the full realization of this settles upon him, the dragon who is Eustace lifts up his awful dragon head and begins to weep.
Through his tears he sees a huge and awesome Lion come toward him and beckon him to follow. So great is Eustace's loneliness by this time that he will do anything that Great Beast asks. The Lion leads him to a huge, round well, and there he directs Eustace to undress. Eustace has on no clothes but he then remembers that dragons are rather like snakes, and he thinks perhaps he can shed his awful dragon hide. He starts scratching away at his scaly self and soon manages to step right out of his dranon suit. But just as he steps into the water, he notices he has yet a smaller dragon skin on underneath. Once again he scratches away at this hide, and stepping out of it, starts again into the water. But there again he sees he is still a dragon. He thinks to himself, 'Oh dear, how ever many skins have I got to take off?' He then scratches away for the third time and is almost desperate to find he has yet another dragon skin on. It is then that the Lion says, 'You will have to let me undress you.' Eustace is dreadfully afraid of the Lion's claws, but he is desperate by then, so he lays down his ugly dragon-self and lets the Lion undress him. The very first tear that the Lion's claws make goes so deep that Eustace thinks it has gone right through his heart and hurts worse than anything he has ever felt.
An then Aslan catches hold of him with his great, clawed paws and throws him into the crystal-clear pool. And, smarting terribly at first, Eustace the dragon sinks deep into the delicious waters until, surfacing, he finds himself turned back into a boy.
In case you haven't figured it out... Aslan the Lion is God. We are Eustace. Here's a quick comment that Payne makes about this story:
Few, if any, write better than Lewis of our need to be 'undragoned.' Like Eustace, he saw with terrible clarity that our converstion from loving self to loving God and our neighbors is a radical one indeed. Because of Lewis's profound understanding of the old, fallen self, some thought that he had studied moral or ascetic theology for years. Refusing the compliment, he replied, "They forgot that there is an equally reliable, though less creditable, way of learning how temptation works. 'My heart'-- I need no other's-- 'showeth me the wickedness of the ungodly.'"
Wow. Ask God to 'undragon' you. No matter how much it hurts God, let us love You instead of ourselves.
The book is called by Leanne Payne. I must say, I've never really read any Lewis before (other than Screwtape Letters) and I must say, this guy is a theological and metaphorical GENIUS!
Anyway, the story I'd like to share with you all today is taken from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader:
Eustace is a greedy boy who, caring only for 'facts,' has never been to the country of Narnia. The reality of Narnia doesn't fit his idea of 'facts.' He has overheard his cousins, the Pevenses, talking about their secret country, and thereafter loves to tease and bully them about their belief. He never believes that they have really been there. But one day, along with is cousins, he is suddenly 'pulled' into Narnia though a painting of a ship under full sail. Being tossed into a Narnian sea and hauled up into a Narnian boat is about the worst thing that could happen to the selfish Eustace, for he lands right in the middle of people who have learned long ago that it isn't a joyful thing to be selfish. And their joy and unselfishness puts him out of sorts.
One day an even more dreadful thing happens to him: 'Sleeping on a dragon's hoard with greedy, dragonish thoughts in his heart, he had become a dragon himself.' A dragon is not only a selfish monster that hoards treasures, but it is also a very lonely creature. One cause of its loneliness is that it likes nothing better to eat than fresh dragon as well as other animals and human beings. Eustace begins to experience how lonely it is to be a monster. He begins to realize what kind of person he has been. And as the full realization of this settles upon him, the dragon who is Eustace lifts up his awful dragon head and begins to weep.
Through his tears he sees a huge and awesome Lion come toward him and beckon him to follow. So great is Eustace's loneliness by this time that he will do anything that Great Beast asks. The Lion leads him to a huge, round well, and there he directs Eustace to undress. Eustace has on no clothes but he then remembers that dragons are rather like snakes, and he thinks perhaps he can shed his awful dragon hide. He starts scratching away at his scaly self and soon manages to step right out of his dranon suit. But just as he steps into the water, he notices he has yet a smaller dragon skin on underneath. Once again he scratches away at this hide, and stepping out of it, starts again into the water. But there again he sees he is still a dragon. He thinks to himself, 'Oh dear, how ever many skins have I got to take off?' He then scratches away for the third time and is almost desperate to find he has yet another dragon skin on. It is then that the Lion says, 'You will have to let me undress you.' Eustace is dreadfully afraid of the Lion's claws, but he is desperate by then, so he lays down his ugly dragon-self and lets the Lion undress him. The very first tear that the Lion's claws make goes so deep that Eustace thinks it has gone right through his heart and hurts worse than anything he has ever felt.
An then Aslan catches hold of him with his great, clawed paws and throws him into the crystal-clear pool. And, smarting terribly at first, Eustace the dragon sinks deep into the delicious waters until, surfacing, he finds himself turned back into a boy.
In case you haven't figured it out... Aslan the Lion is God. We are Eustace. Here's a quick comment that Payne makes about this story:
Few, if any, write better than Lewis of our need to be 'undragoned.' Like Eustace, he saw with terrible clarity that our converstion from loving self to loving God and our neighbors is a radical one indeed. Because of Lewis's profound understanding of the old, fallen self, some thought that he had studied moral or ascetic theology for years. Refusing the compliment, he replied, "They forgot that there is an equally reliable, though less creditable, way of learning how temptation works. 'My heart'-- I need no other's-- 'showeth me the wickedness of the ungodly.'"
Wow. Ask God to 'undragon' you. No matter how much it hurts God, let us love You instead of ourselves.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
My Covenant With My Bank Account
Ok,
So here's the deal.
I spend way too much money on clothes and shoes (Brett and family are all saying 'amen' to this).
Nicole and I, plus many other friends enjoy our fellowship time in the form of shopping. We're also really good at encouraging each other to buy new things. So, the temptation to spend is always lingering.
But I have a plan! No buying new shoes or clothes until Christmas time!!!! (of course, gifts for others will not count, as I do have little nieces and nephews to think about).
But there it is. I don't need new things, so I'm not going to buy them!
So here's the deal.
I spend way too much money on clothes and shoes (Brett and family are all saying 'amen' to this).
Nicole and I, plus many other friends enjoy our fellowship time in the form of shopping. We're also really good at encouraging each other to buy new things. So, the temptation to spend is always lingering.
But I have a plan! No buying new shoes or clothes until Christmas time!!!! (of course, gifts for others will not count, as I do have little nieces and nephews to think about).
But there it is. I don't need new things, so I'm not going to buy them!
Monday, September 12, 2005
My Petition to All Mad Prayer Warrior Beasts
You need to pray for a really important person!
His name is Brett Ramsey, and he starts his crazy insane UFE exam thing, which upon his success in passing, will become a Chartered Accountant.
Pray that he'll remember his studies, and apply them properly.
Pray that he'll be relaxed and confident during the exam times, and that he won't panic or feel rushed, or totally blank on something.
Pray that he doesn't read this and become nervous.
Pray that he won't feel overwhelmed by the tons of stuff he has to know.
Pray that he'll have peace about it, and be able to be well rested the nights before, and focused.
But most of all, thank God for the wonderful person that Brett is, and thank God for how freakishly smart and committed he is to his studies.
Hurry and write the darn thing now, so you can come and visit me, Brett!!!! And phone. I miss talking to you on the phone!
His name is Brett Ramsey, and he starts his crazy insane UFE exam thing, which upon his success in passing, will become a Chartered Accountant.
Pray that he'll remember his studies, and apply them properly.
Pray that he'll be relaxed and confident during the exam times, and that he won't panic or feel rushed, or totally blank on something.
Pray that he doesn't read this and become nervous.
Pray that he won't feel overwhelmed by the tons of stuff he has to know.
Pray that he'll have peace about it, and be able to be well rested the nights before, and focused.
But most of all, thank God for the wonderful person that Brett is, and thank God for how freakishly smart and committed he is to his studies.
Hurry and write the darn thing now, so you can come and visit me, Brett!!!! And phone. I miss talking to you on the phone!
Sunday, September 11, 2005
My Update
Ok, so I've been a little quiet for the first week back with blogging. I don't apologize! ha ha!
Let's see, what's been going on this week?
Well, the first week back was actually a ton of fun. For those of you who are my friends and want to call me, my Saskatoon number is 373-6702.
Classes look like they'll be fairly good this year, here they are:
Ministry to Worship Arts Community- I think we'll just start calling this class 'issues' again, because the name is too hard to remember. It's going to be a good class though. Good books to read, small class, all my buddies are in it... my worship arts buddies, that is.
English Literature- I think it may be a tough class, but as long as I put some effort into it, I'll be ok.
Wisdom Literature- Haven't been to it yet, as it is a Tuesday night class, but it's Mr. Cressman teaching an OT class, so how wrong can that go?
Homiletics- Where I learn to be a fire & brimstone, pentecostal fire preacher. Just kidding, I'm going to be putting together some messages, and learning the art of preaching.
Understanding Human Behavior- This class I missed last year because Theology of Worship caused a conflict. I have smelly first year's with me! EWWW THEY STINK! Just kidding.
Technology for Ministry- Ok, so I took a class like this in high school, it was called 'advanced computer applications', but I have to take it, so 'oh well'.
This week I purchased a shiny digital camera, and have taken SEVERAL pictures with it. It takes excellent pictures, 3.2 Megapixels, takes up to 60 minutes of video, nice size, rechargeable batteries. Me rikey!
Ok, so I know I mentioned earlier that the first year's stink, but seriously, they don't even! They rock hardcore. They're so nice, and fun, and they've got me excited for the year.
I also picked up my studio key yesterday from Mr. Puls, so hopefully I'll be in there a little more than I was last year. Studio time, here I come!
What else.... oh, Nic and I have spent a ton of time together this week. We put up prayer and praise boards in the girl's dorms and stuff... we've gone shopping quite a bit. I decided to stretch out my earrings to a size 8 over the next little bit, so hopefully by thanksgiving, I'll have my 8's in (they're cool black spikey things, so I can look all punk and stuff... lol)
Oh, ATTENTION ALL DWELLING PLACE WORSHIP LEADERS!!!!!! I may have convinced my very good friend Daniel Piper to come home for thanksgiving with me.... he is a very talented guitar player.... :) no for sure's yet, but hopefully it's true. Nic may come with me too :). She's fun!
What else... oh, we've had some good chapels and stuff too! Friday night was praise and worship night, and we played for a solid hour... not softly... seriously, from all that drumming, it felt like my wrists had whiplash.
I finally finisehd reading Blue Like Jazz... it was a good book....
I guess that's about it....
Latah
Let's see, what's been going on this week?
Well, the first week back was actually a ton of fun. For those of you who are my friends and want to call me, my Saskatoon number is 373-6702.
Classes look like they'll be fairly good this year, here they are:
Ministry to Worship Arts Community- I think we'll just start calling this class 'issues' again, because the name is too hard to remember. It's going to be a good class though. Good books to read, small class, all my buddies are in it... my worship arts buddies, that is.
English Literature- I think it may be a tough class, but as long as I put some effort into it, I'll be ok.
Wisdom Literature- Haven't been to it yet, as it is a Tuesday night class, but it's Mr. Cressman teaching an OT class, so how wrong can that go?
Homiletics- Where I learn to be a fire & brimstone, pentecostal fire preacher. Just kidding, I'm going to be putting together some messages, and learning the art of preaching.
Understanding Human Behavior- This class I missed last year because Theology of Worship caused a conflict. I have smelly first year's with me! EWWW THEY STINK! Just kidding.
Technology for Ministry- Ok, so I took a class like this in high school, it was called 'advanced computer applications', but I have to take it, so 'oh well'.
This week I purchased a shiny digital camera, and have taken SEVERAL pictures with it. It takes excellent pictures, 3.2 Megapixels, takes up to 60 minutes of video, nice size, rechargeable batteries. Me rikey!
Ok, so I know I mentioned earlier that the first year's stink, but seriously, they don't even! They rock hardcore. They're so nice, and fun, and they've got me excited for the year.
I also picked up my studio key yesterday from Mr. Puls, so hopefully I'll be in there a little more than I was last year. Studio time, here I come!
What else.... oh, Nic and I have spent a ton of time together this week. We put up prayer and praise boards in the girl's dorms and stuff... we've gone shopping quite a bit. I decided to stretch out my earrings to a size 8 over the next little bit, so hopefully by thanksgiving, I'll have my 8's in (they're cool black spikey things, so I can look all punk and stuff... lol)
Oh, ATTENTION ALL DWELLING PLACE WORSHIP LEADERS!!!!!! I may have convinced my very good friend Daniel Piper to come home for thanksgiving with me.... he is a very talented guitar player.... :) no for sure's yet, but hopefully it's true. Nic may come with me too :). She's fun!
What else... oh, we've had some good chapels and stuff too! Friday night was praise and worship night, and we played for a solid hour... not softly... seriously, from all that drumming, it felt like my wrists had whiplash.
I finally finisehd reading Blue Like Jazz... it was a good book....
I guess that's about it....
Latah
Thursday, September 08, 2005
My Coping Without Television
Ok, well, this year has brought some interesting twists into it that I think will stretch me for the good, as long as I don't let my pride get in the way.
For those of you who are currently unaware. Be forewarned. Yes, the rules are tough, but I agreed to abide by them. Don't send me tips on how to cheat, or to find loopholes and such. I will survive.
This year at CPC, I'm basically not allowed to watch tv shows or movies of any kind in my room. I can watch television in the evenings in the lounge, or watch approved movies after 7pm in the student life center. Groan, right?
Well, at first I thought it was going to be a bigger deal than it really is. I can see this year shaping up to be a crazy spiritual year, which is exactly what anyone here could use. Last year was a little on the dry side. Good... but a little dry, if you ask me.
Last night, we had practise. Joe was leading, and it was just an amazing time of worship, awesome. I must say, Joseph Kendrick, you have grown, and greatly inspired some awesome times of worship last night.
That's not even the end of it! There was a good block of time to chat with some old and some newer friends down at the couches. It's good to see how people are doing, and just joke around with them again.
After a while, Nic and I went to Sobey's to get some junk food, and then we fiddled with my new camera, ate some popcorn, and I started fooling around on my guitar. Someone hears us, and invites us to the student life center, where a bunch of people are sining. I plop down next to none other than the famous Scott Wilson, and plunk on the guitar with him for a bit. It turned into like an hour and a bit of some serious prayer and worship time.
So who knows, maybe I shouldn't judge this rule. Maybe I'll do some much needed growing. We'll see. Pray for me, as I tend to have a bad attitude towards authority, and I also tend to rebel when I think things have reached the ridiculous level. Pray that I'll remain obedient, and to not let my pride get in the way of growing in any way that I can this year, k?
For those of you who are currently unaware. Be forewarned. Yes, the rules are tough, but I agreed to abide by them. Don't send me tips on how to cheat, or to find loopholes and such. I will survive.
This year at CPC, I'm basically not allowed to watch tv shows or movies of any kind in my room. I can watch television in the evenings in the lounge, or watch approved movies after 7pm in the student life center. Groan, right?
Well, at first I thought it was going to be a bigger deal than it really is. I can see this year shaping up to be a crazy spiritual year, which is exactly what anyone here could use. Last year was a little on the dry side. Good... but a little dry, if you ask me.
Last night, we had practise. Joe was leading, and it was just an amazing time of worship, awesome. I must say, Joseph Kendrick, you have grown, and greatly inspired some awesome times of worship last night.
That's not even the end of it! There was a good block of time to chat with some old and some newer friends down at the couches. It's good to see how people are doing, and just joke around with them again.
After a while, Nic and I went to Sobey's to get some junk food, and then we fiddled with my new camera, ate some popcorn, and I started fooling around on my guitar. Someone hears us, and invites us to the student life center, where a bunch of people are sining. I plop down next to none other than the famous Scott Wilson, and plunk on the guitar with him for a bit. It turned into like an hour and a bit of some serious prayer and worship time.
So who knows, maybe I shouldn't judge this rule. Maybe I'll do some much needed growing. We'll see. Pray for me, as I tend to have a bad attitude towards authority, and I also tend to rebel when I think things have reached the ridiculous level. Pray that I'll remain obedient, and to not let my pride get in the way of growing in any way that I can this year, k?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
My Very Own Room!
Hey people!
Well, to my dismay, I'm back at CPC. Don't worry, as soon as I got here, it was like good old times again. It feels like an ok place to crash for the next 8 months (though some of the new rules around here are kind of sketchy... I guess it's going to have to be that way though, I'm signing the dreaded covenant in a few hours). My internet is officially hooked up, and so is my phone (don't ask for my number, I have NO idea what it is!), and Nicole and I are right next door to eachother.... so I guess we won't have to waste precious seconds when we need to see each other.
I have a single room this year, and let me tell you, I'm likin it! One of the beds is a couch, I have two dressers and two desks. Much better than having to share. I never did like sharing! Ok, well, as you can see, this blog isn't very insightful, but as soon as the swing of things get in motion, then I promise I'll sit down and write a proper rant or something, ok? Alright, time for chapel in a few, so I should run!
Latah
Well, to my dismay, I'm back at CPC. Don't worry, as soon as I got here, it was like good old times again. It feels like an ok place to crash for the next 8 months (though some of the new rules around here are kind of sketchy... I guess it's going to have to be that way though, I'm signing the dreaded covenant in a few hours). My internet is officially hooked up, and so is my phone (don't ask for my number, I have NO idea what it is!), and Nicole and I are right next door to eachother.... so I guess we won't have to waste precious seconds when we need to see each other.
I have a single room this year, and let me tell you, I'm likin it! One of the beds is a couch, I have two dressers and two desks. Much better than having to share. I never did like sharing! Ok, well, as you can see, this blog isn't very insightful, but as soon as the swing of things get in motion, then I promise I'll sit down and write a proper rant or something, ok? Alright, time for chapel in a few, so I should run!
Latah
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