truth be told

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJ)

Monday, May 30, 2005

Impassioned

This was the title of Masterwork's Studio dance recital this year. It was inspiring! Alexandra and Kendra, you guys did amazing!!

The passions of Jesus.
Can you imagine? Think of the most passionate person you know (fictional, imaginary, real - whatever) and mulitply that by holiness, righteousness, perfection and all this that is the Uncreated One. That probably doesn't even come close to the passion of Christ.

Decisions: I'm not going to re-sign the lease for my apartment. It's weird but I feel like the season is changing and something is coming. I'm ready for change and to be changed. Even if nothing significant in the physical happens (besides having or not having a place to live), I still want to be embrace this season changed.

I have a few options for living arrangements. God direct me please.

Waiting for God's YES. I think it's important. I know God can speak. He is interested in the details of my life. I want God to be my closest confident! To run to him with my joys, sorrows, decisions and requests before anyone else.

May - it went by quickly, I was too busy, God is INCREDIBLE and He's teaching me lessons that I need to learn but sometimes don't want to.

June - I head to Toronto on a business trip on Thursday afternoon till Saturday night. I'm actually excited! I sound so old when I say that I'm going to TO on a business trip!! Yikes!

My sister and Shane celebrate their first anniversary on the 12th! I'm so proud and excited for you guys!

I have two weddings and a dance performance to attend.
Yea Matt and Jac!!!! Yehaa Karis and Val!! And go X Co!

BLAH! These clients are crazy..........gotta run.

Friday, May 27, 2005

I'm astounded at His Holiness!

Exodus 33:12-23

Moses said to the Lord, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so that I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people."

The Lord replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"

And the Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."

Then the Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen." (Italics mine)

Wow. The glory of our Lord!?! It's unfathomable. We would literally die if we were to see His face! And yet, I desire this! To speak face to face with my God. You are HOLY, Lord! We desire to see Your glory!

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

God's Angel to Prepare the Way

Exodus 23:
20/ "See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you....Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
27/ "I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run..."

Exodus 24:
3/ When Moses went and told the people all the Lord's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the Lord has said we will do."

Thursday, May 19, 2005

exams, a chipped tooth, and the May long

I just finished writing my In Christ's Image Training exam on Prayer. I learn sooo.. much from those exams it's incredible! Now I'm sitting at my sister and Shane's house all by my lonesome. They're off to housegroup and I've got free reign! Maaahaahaa. Kidding.

I chipped my tooth today. I was eating one of those candy necklaces that I got at Matt and Jac's wedding shower yesterday and out popped a part of my front tooth. Yah! Now I get to go to the dentist (which I actually kinda like :) and get it fixed. The one downer - I have to pay. The one bonus - I have benefits, although not full coverage. This is the fourth time I've chipped this tooth. The first time I tripped on a log! Who does that?!?! Man.

Tonight I'm going to my friend Rachelle's house for a sleepover. I love having sleepovers on work nights! It makes me feel like a rebel. Her hubby is in ON tree planting so I'm going to keep her company! More than likely I'll get my socks blessed right off of me! I mean, Rachelle is an incredible woman of God. I love her! Her hubby is equally awesome! It's crazy how God can take a sad situation (I met her at my childhood best friends funeral, for those of you who don't know ; ) and turn it into blessing. You are Sovereign Lord!! We're going to party it up eating ice cream, chatting, probably doing crafts and....sleeping! I love it!

So, anyone have plans for the May long? Tomorrow I'm going to my mom's for a candle party with my sister. I'm actually quite excited! Saturday I'm having a bon de la fire (maria, I can't stop saying it now!) at my dad's house which I'm stoked (hee hee...get it?!?!) about! Sunday I'm dancing at church and we have Encounter God Night in the evening - which I love!! Monday is an open day (for now)! Hallelujah!

Word of advice for the day: When walking by a flower shop inhale deeply and you'll feel much better about life = ) it's true. I did it today and left smiling!

Fire. Still raging. I'm feeling a lot of love in my heart for people these days. It's interesting. What I desire more than anything is to be so SOLIDLY founded in GOD, His truth and His word that feelings are just the topping on the pancakes...err..waffles!?!?! I want DEPTH. DEPTH!!

That was fun! I should jet. Take care all! God bless you and keep you!

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Fire - part deux

Once upon a time there was a girl who went to Kansas City. There she caught fire.

Fire. What does fire do? It consumes! This fire that has previously resided only in my belly has now decided to move upwards. It's consuming my heart. It's burning up my throat and is making its way out of my mouth.

Yes, Jesus. Would your fire refine, restore and purify me. Consume me and then let it spread. Like a wild fire.

Friday, May 13, 2005

......and HE LOVES JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

okay....PRAISE JESUS! I have a friend (whom I call my friend even though I never see him and we've never really hung out) that I have been praying for since grade 9.

I had a very big burden to pray for him that year and through out high school, as well. He was a known druggy and a dealer. I would randomly walk up to him, give him a high five and invite him to my sisters church, the Vineyard. I told him that one day he had to come and he actually agreed at that time! Sweet.....he hasn't come yet.

So now Rodger is a Christian! He's engaged to be MARRIED this summer and he's a youth sponsor with his church.

When I found out yesterday I flipped out! I started praising with the angels, running around yelling "praise Jesus!!" with my hands flying in the air!

God answers prayer! He desired for Rodger to know him way more than I did. Thank you God! You are good! I literally felt high yesterday! I feel like I don't have the words to express how joyful, excited, calm, hopeful, content, grateful...and the list goes on...that I am!

Lord, I pray that you would now persue Ryan's heart, God!
Reveal his need of you. Heal his heart and show him your unconditional love. Protect and bless him, Father! Amen ; )

ps. I even blogged about Rodger previously. Check out my Thursday, April 21 post.

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Beat the Beastly Bears with your Bible.

I was so happy to see here bounce away......(I pressed 'paste' and this is what appeared!?!) Weird!...speaking of weird.....

I had a weird, nightmare-ish dream last night.
In my dream it had been prophesied over me that I would be fighting against bears. Why bears? I'm not sure!?!

So the entire dream long I was running from and fighting against these massive, incredible bears! They were huge and flippin' smart! They seemed to predict exactly where I would hide or run to.

I know that Christina, Cam and Brian were all in my dream. We were also in a really nice area of "town" (not sure where, when or why) I think we had gone to see a basketball game or something of that sort. That's when the bears first appeared. From there we ended up running and hiding. Driving away from them. They were so super fast that they could catch up to our car, though.

These bears not only attacked the group of us four but everyone in the area. They were causing havoc and destruction wherever they could.

I don't remember a whole lot of detail (besides the above) of my dream but I do remember that at one point I got really ticked off at these stupid, fear-invoking and pain-inflicting beasts! I stood up on a table ready to fight, taking my "I've had enough, back away from me" stance. I'm not sure if I actually stood my ground and fought them or if I ended up running away before they got to me. I think it was the latter...It ended by my alarm clock blaring 95.1 FM way before I wanted to wake up!

What I find cool about having those types of dreams is saying the name of Jesus when I'm scared or when I'm praying against something. It's a beautiful thing!

A dream that I had many years ago has kept popping back into my head over the last 4 days or so. I was in the Middle East (somewhere) and there was war and fighting all around me. The sky was a red haze from all of the dust, smoke and fire. I was running because people wanted to kill me. So, I ended up ducking into a corner of a building and praying that God would make me invisible. He did. I was totally safe. I woke up that morning being so thrilled that I had prayed in my dream for Jesus' protection and because of that was saved. Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved!!! Even in dreams, supposedly! Thank you, Jesus! You are bigger than bears, wars and fear!! AMEN!

ps. HAPPY MANITOBA DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

hello

Happy very be-lated Mom's Day to all you mom's out there!! If it were not for my mother I would not be here. Simple as that. Plus, I LOVE my mom to pieces! She is wonderful, giving, a mother to many, loving and dear!

Onto other news, I'm house sitting this week. It's great! I've learned, however, that I would way rather live by myself in an apartment compared to a house. It's more lonely in bigger spaces. I'm definitely enjoying the "house life", though! Bless you Alexandra! Hope you're having an awesome trip!

Isn't it crazy how you can be having a really crappy day and the only thing that makes it better is giving?!?! Have you guys experienced that before? I was having a bad day yesterday (cried at work mmmhmm) and the only thing that cheered me up (besides God, but I felt like I was complaining to Him more than anything) was having a cup of hottie chocolat with a beggar that I met downtown. He was shaking from the cold, had dirty finger nails and beautiful blue eyes. He gave way more to me than I could have given to him. Lord, bless Donald! I pray that you would be his provider, protector, joy and strength.

Hey, I'm going to throw a prayer request in here...I need to know by the end of this month if I'm going to re-sign my lease and I need a roommate. Amen.

Have a great day! May the force..um...Lord!...be with you!

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

Once upon a time there was a little princess named Vienna-Maria. She had beautiful long black hair with black eyes to match that would gaze around in wonder at this wide, wide world (with David Ruis' song as background music).

One day Vienna (for short) woke up, slipped out from under her covers and ran to the bay window in her bedroom on the top floor of her parents mansion. She looked outside to see what the commotion was (there had been a commotion) when she saw her really awesome guy friend, Rome (aka Roman). He had been throwing rocks at her window to get her attention.

She was appalled and yelled in an English accent, "What are you doing?!?! If my parents knew that you were pelting rocks at my window they would be very displeased!"

"I don't care!" Roman yelled back. He knew that this royal family was very close and that an insult to Vienna's parents would be an insult to her. That's exactly what he wanted. He could always predict her reactions in such cases.

"I'll get you for this!" Came Vienna's stubborn resolve. She was now determined to see that he paid for his attitude towards his King and Queen, her parents.

Vienna-Maria ran into the hall to look for her maid, the best french-braider in all of the Kingdom. "Christianna! Come quick! I need my hair braided so that you can help me down my window to invoke justice on Roman!"

So, Christina..umm...I mean, Christianna, the kingdoms hottest nurse and french braider there was, joyfully french braided the fair maidens hair. When all was done she held onto the end of the little princess' hair as Vienna-Maria climbed out of her window and down to the darkened earth. Vienna-Maria had the longest hair ever recorded in the book of world records - it was unrecordable and always perfect.

She set off on her mission and ran straight into Tucker her butler. The Tucker clan had worked and lived at the Royal Palace for generations long since past. They were practically royal themselves.

"Now where are you off to in such a hurry, my dear?" Tucker asked. He knew full well where she was going.

"I'm off to invoke vengeance and justice on Rome!" Vienna yelled as she continued running in her desired direction.

Meanwhile back in the palace, the incredible chef Joelseph was preparing a big feast! They were to have a ball at the Royal Palace in honor of King Luke-Kristof and Queen Anna-Shanet's 25 year reign. Things were buzzing with activity and commotion!

Vienna-Maria eventually found Rome in the stable thanks to the help of the stable boy, Shaunstein, who had a sheepish grin on his face. She knew right then he was trying to keep a secret. She asked him politely if he knew where Rome was. He continually replied 'No' to all of her questions, badly wanting to make Rome proud. Shaunstein even came up with distracting tid-bits of information such as his new nail earrings that he was selling on E-Hay for every kind of horse, even those with sensitive skin. Rome popped out of the hay in the loft before Shaunstein was to tell of his other grand inventions.

Not before long (but before Vienna-Maria caught Rome to invoke vengeance and justice upon his head) the time came for all of the Palace peeps to dress for the ball. Vienna was so excited because she got to wear her most beautiful ivory princess dress. She had never worn it to a ball before and was ever-so-pleased at the thought.

Christianna helped her dress, re-braided her hair and tended to the scrape on her knee that she had received while climbing out of her window.

The ball was incredible! After the amazing meal prepared by Joelseph, the guests all gathered at the Kingdom's Centre Vineyard and danced the night away.

That night before Vienna-Maria went to bed she was allowed one wish. She thought of all the things she could have in the world....then pondered some more....all she really wanted was to invite all of her friends from St. Catherine's, the neighbouring Kingdom, over for a Royal sleepover!! The best part of the Royal sleepovers are when Uncle Nate reads them the bed time story.

THE END.


Morals of the story: If your blog is too long people won't read it. Stations or positions in society mean nothing. Everyone of the people in this story equally rocks! (Plus all of those that I didn't have time to include!) I love you guys!
[..and I'm not crazy...]