Time flies....lest we forget

It's Remembrance Day already, i can't believe it, i'm still stuck in September haha, where has the time gone?
As i sit here eating mini marshmallows and watching old war footage on TCM i have come to realize how quickly time passes.
For example, this year, it seems that each month has lasted a week... and before long we'll all be cheering "Happy New Year!!" yikes :S
Another example, more relevant to today specifically, is how much time has past since the end of World War 1, 90 years, aaaamazing.
I never would of thought it to be 90 years ago, i was thinking like 70, but yeah, time flies, so do the memories if we aren't careful.
It's easy to forget the stuff that isn't right in front of your face all the time, been there done that too many times, but that is also part of our choices, what we consider important/ not so important (little side note; you will only remember what you consider important, so the next time you forget something, ask yourself "why didn't i consider this to be important?" and "what can I do to change that?")
Anyhew, back to the topic at hand, Remembrance, it's something to consider. We live in a free society today thanks to those who fought for it, and there are other nations/ countries out there that are no longer suffering from communist rule and oppression thanks to the brave soldiers/ peace keepers who dedicated their lives for them. Not to mention, we have many troops still fighting today and the ones who lost their lives in the past 10 years.
I was watching a Christian broadcast on TV this morning and they had a camera crew and host go out to Iraq or Afganistan, can't quite remember (lol, perfect example of me thinking the location to be of no importance, i was more interested in the people there) and they were talking with soldiers and asking if they had anything they wanted to say to anyone back home and i almost cried at a few of them because they themselves were tearing up at what they had to say. I think that we forget sometimes that these people are just as human as you and I. They have emotions like us, they have a mom and a dad like us, they have friends and family just like us and they have real fears just like us. They are not super-human, made of steel, emotionless, gunning machines. They are definitely heroes in my opinion, but they are as real as you or I. So, what is my point??
My point is this.... it is good to remember those that were lost/ those still fighting because:
1)It is a support to those that were left behind. Every soldier that gave his/ her life in battle had a mom/ dad/ sibling/ relative/ friend/ wife/ husband/ daughter/ son. They need to know that their loved one didn't die in vain and that there are those out there who are forever grateful for such a sacrifice. (one way to share God's love is to reciprocate His love for his creation, man-kind).
2)It is good to be thankful. It shows a respect and appreciation for those who fought and those who are still fighting.
3)practice makes perfect......i know this may seem out of place to put this comment, but it totally fits, here's why....when you practice remembering it will be harder to forget what you are supposed to remember and easier to remember what you used to forget....bahaha, tongue twister, try saying that 15 times really fast.
But seriously, do you understand what i am saying? The more you remember, the harder it will be to forget. Forgetfulness, exactly what we don't want to happen. Because when you forget, it means you put no importance on "item you need to remember". I'm pretty sure that's not the message you want to send to those observing your actions, because trust me, people are going to watch you your whole life, you forgetting something is the same as saying "it didn't matter".
But let me tell ya, what happened 90 years ago mattered, what is happening now matters, all the lives lost matter, caring for others matters....it all matters.
So my prayer for you is that throughout your life you will always strive to remember the things worth remembering and to always be thankful.

Happy Remembrance Day
In His Grip
TNL


BTW, the pic up top is of the oldest WW1 survivor, he's 112!! absolutely incredible.

Musk Ox Man

Alright guys, since the prev post was specifically for the ladies this is a short blurb just for you....

Musk Ox Man (by Justin Lookadoo)

I have a new favorite animal. I know earlier I told you it was the duck-billed platypus. Well, I changed my mind. Yep, the DBP has been snubbed by my new fave, which is now the Ovibos moschatus, better known as the musk ox.
A musk ox looks like a cross between a bison and a water buffalo, with a hint of woolly mammoth. Shrink all that down to a pseudo-miniature size, and there you have it. Can't get the visual, then google it.
I caught a glimpse of some of these guys in Alaska, they were so cute in an evolutionarily-stunted kinda way. But don't let their cuteness fool you. They aren't weak little links in the food chain. Hey, the Ice Age couldn't even kill these things.
And let me tell you the coolest things about these animals. When trouble comes and an underfed carnivore in need of some red meat starts stalking the musk ox buffet, the herd forms a defensive circle. They put the old, young, female, and weak in the middle of the circle, and the strong stand shoulder to shoulder with horns and hard heads ready to attack whatever is daring enough or stupid enough to try to break through.
Think about it - isn't that the way we're supposed to live? Side by side we stand in strength. Defending God's laws and principals and protecting those that can't defend themselves - even if it costs us our own life! You read about men like this in the Bible, but you don't really hear much about similar dudes these days. In fact, just like the musk ox, men like that are dangerously close to extinction!
Yeah, you heard me - men like that! Men who stand up for what they believe, who don't prey on the weak but defend them. Who treat people right, and that means ladies! They are gentle, yet strong - not bullies, but not pushovers - not pansies, but not jerks! Real men are what I'm calling for here - real godly men. Men who aren't afraid to take on the enemy, but not at the cost of harming those they should be protecting. If you don't get the visual here, don't google it. Just start reading the Word.
Let's step up, guys - let's learn from those prehistoric creatures (the furry animals, not the Bible fellas).
Keep it simple, keep it strong, and keep this breed alive.

"Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight." -- 2 Samuel 10:12

The Broken Road

Hey all
i've been reading this book on random thoughts about life, love and relationships and i came across this one short bit.
it's a note specifically for the ladies, anyone who is worried about being alone or that you'll never find that special guy in your life etc. if you have ever worried about relationships in general, this one's for you.

The Broken Road; Observations from Emily Lookadoo

There's nothing a girl can do - and no guy she can find - that will give her that perfect feeling inside. Only God can do that. So trying to get yourself - or find a someone to give it to you - is time ill spent on the road. You know, God has given you this time in your life for a reason. Some girls sit back and they wait and they wait and they wait for Prince Charming. That's not supposed to be an idle time. God doesn't expect you to sit there and pray that Prince Charming will fall into your lap. Nor does he expect you to give everybody a shot at that role. He doesn't at all want you to sit idly waiting. He wants you to use this time to get to know him and to experience life with him.
Used to be I didn't understand that. And that left a gap in my life that I regret. Because while Justin was learning other languages and developing his relationship with God and writing books and doing meaningful things, i was trying one more hairdo, one more color, one more outfit. And i was constantly not hitting my mark.
You will be pretty enough, you will be prefect enough only when you see yourself through God's eyes. And then when you find your knight in shining armor at the end of the road, you will be perfect enough. You will be beautiful. There's no way that Justin would of ever found me without God's hand in my life. I'm glad I finally figured that out.

JUUUUNE and the promise of summer

So here we are again, summer is just around the corner and i am so excited. Not just because we have a TNL luau coming up on the 29th (6.30pm, Sunday nite), not just because we are going camping July 13-16 to Alice Lake ($65/person, spots still available) and not just because we are walking in the Relay for Life June 20-21 (come any time, bring something yummy to share). Those are all very good reasons why i should be excited and trust me they are up there in the top reasons to do a happy dance. But what really gets me stoked about the season of sun, sand and starfish.... starfish?... anyhew, the NUMERO UNO reason is the fact that we have the whole summer to get the chance to catch up on all the stuff we couldn't do earlier in the year. For some that may be rest, ah sleep, can't get enough of it, for some it might be to earn the $$ to finally purchase those badly needed *[insert item(s) here]*, for some it might be to take time to learn certain skills practicing whatever your activity of choice is (this covers all ranges from video games to your amazing musical talent to athletics, also the important sport of lying-on-tube-in-water) and for some it may be the time to finally sit down and finish that origami moose that you have never mastered (although not as difficult as the origami elk).
Ah yes, summer is on the way, and i say "on the way" because clearly the weather forecasts haven't shown its arrival as of yet. But it's okay, we need the rain for the extremely hot summer we will be having AMEN!! haha
Summer happens to be my favorite season. Maybe because it stays light much longer in the day, love that, maybe because i can go to the beach and not freeze, love that too, or maybe it's because during my "break, aka, time of rest" that's when I get some quality me and God time. It's like being a battery that needs re-charging, i get the whole summer to get recharged and when the break is over i am ready to use the newly fueled energy stored up inside. It's pretty sweet.
I guess my question is... what does me and God time look like? to you that is.
Do you make time to get "spiritually recharged"?
The same way a battery will die if it is not charged up again, so will our spirit die or drain if we don't recharge it.
ANd since God wants nothing more for us than to live the ABUNDANT life, meaning, a life with no lack, how much more can we live that kind of life than with a fully charged spirit battery??
Yes, if you do not "spiritually charge" yourself up life will still go on. The world will keep moving, summer will come, you'll do stuff and so on and so forth....
But just think of how much more it could be if on top of your "human-ness" (a life not walking in a fully charged spirit) there will be added some pretty powerful God-ness aka, walking in the spirit time, which will add more meaning, more memories, more impact, less waste of time, less waste of opportunity to see God move in and thru everything around you. That's the stuff you see only when you have some spirit-battery-juice in you. When you are empty it's like you have a grey screen infront of your face and you only see part of what's before of you. But with Christ inside and you on purposely getting fueled for Jesus through the Holy Spirit, that screen is lifted and all the color and vibrancy that the life God has to offer you is so visable that you are actually struck speechless, only able to mutter a few random words of "....God you are so awesome....God only you could do this...God, you amaze me....how did you know that's what i needed....how did you put those words in my mouth at the right time?....thank you for showing me that about that person....thank you for the chance to hang with (insert name) when in that past it was so awkward...etc etc...

So this summer, i encourage you to get fueled for Jesus. Recharge your spirit with Godly things, Godly converstions, read His word, talk to Him, listen to stuff that enhances the spirit in you instead of the stuff that distracts you from Him or tears Him down, seek His face first, and remember that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom, freedom to walk in the abundant life God has ready for you.
Let this upcoming season be the season of sun, sand, starfish and Spirit-filled God and you time.

later
TNL

Ever been here?

to quote one of our youth members, "GOD ROCKS MY SOCKS!"
I can't count the number of times he has come through in so many areas of my life and the lives of people i know, it's amazing.
Ever been in that place? Where you are waiting for something to happen? You've gone through all the right steps, you tried doing things the right way the first time instead of learning through one of your mistakes?
and now you are just waiting....GOd?....is it time now?....how about now?.....why does it have to be this way God?.....I thought i was doing this the right way this time?....
and questions keep running running running in your head
of course you come back with answers......God knows what He is doing.....He's got this one, just wait.......HIS timing, remember?...........He'll show you an answer just wait for it.......stop asking so many questions and just listen/ watch for His next move.......
and while all this is going on inside your head, you feel like your world as you know is has either stood still, waiting for the next move, OR, you feel like all chaos has broke loose around you and you are waiting for a remedy to fix it.
You have your happy days, when you are strong in your faith and you KNOW what the TRUTH is about this whole situation.
And you have your bad days or moments, when you just want to cry or give up.
But you get through, you survive and you are waiting......waiting....and BAM!!
GOd lands a big bag of BLESSING on your lap, with a bright red bow i might add ;)
All fears disappear, all worry goes out the window and what comes in the window is a breath of fresh air and warm rays of sunshine.
Have you been here? do you know what i am talking about?
Are you experiencing any part from what you just read?
If so, let me confirm something for you.
The God that we serve and rely on, He's faithful, don't ever forget that.
If you are waiting, for an answer on ANYTHING, He's faithful and He'll come through.
Yes, His timing freaks us out, but it's always perfect.
He's taken so much care in every little detail about creating you, down to the number of every hair on your head. So trust that He's put that much detail in mapping out the course of your WHOLE life and that He'll show you the next turn when you keep an eye out for it.

I was in a time of waiting (actually i have been in many times of waiting haha) but this was specifically a few years ago, waiting for an answer and I asked God to show me a verse that would calm me down....you know, one of those "AH GOD I"M GONNA FREAK OUT PRETTY SOON, OR MAYBE I ALREADY AM AND THAT'S WHY I AM TYPING IN YELLING FONT RIGHT NOW! SO PLEASE HELP ME GET A GRIP!!" kind of verses.
and this is what He showed me...

People with their minds set on you,
you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet,
because they keep at it and don't quit.
Depend on God and keep at it
because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.
(Isaiah 26:3-4, msg)

So keep at it. Don't quit, and anything that comes into your head that tells you differently, see it for the lie that it is and put it in it's place, don't ignore it, but stick it where it's supposed to go, in the garbage, crushed under the spirit of Truth and shipped out the door! so to speak lol

peace out
TNL

Donkey Duty?

***
Remember hearing about the Easter bunny? how about an Easter Donkey??
***
Today's story: God Uses The Ordinary For The Extraordinary


ONLY A DONKEY

The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride.

He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. "I’ll show myself to them," he thought.

But they didn’t notice him. They went on drawing their water and paid him no mind.

"Throw your garments down," he said crossly. "Don’t you know who I am?"

They just looked at him in amazement. Someone slapped him across the tail and ordered him to move.

"Miserable heathens!" he muttered to himself. "I’ll just go to the market where the good people are. They will remember me."

But the same thing happened. No one paid any attention to the donkey as he strutted down the main street in front of the market place.

"The palm branches! Where are the palm branches!" he shouted.

"Yesterday, you threw palm branches!"

Hurt and confused, the donkey returned home to his mother.

"Foolish child," she said gently. "Don’t you realize that without Him, you are just an ordinary donkey?"

Just like the donkey who carried Jesus in Jerusalem, we are most fulfilled when we are in the service of Jesus Christ. Without him, all our best efforts are like "filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6) and amount to nothing. When we lift up Christ, however, we are no longer ordinary people, but key players in God’s plan to redeem the word.

Random Thought #61

8 Seconds

Get a timer, a clock, a watch, anything you can watch for 8 seconds. If you’re at all technical and you can set it to count backward and beep after 8 seconds, then do that. If not, then just grab something you can watch for 8 ticks.
Whenever you are ready, just sit there and experience the time passing for 8 seconds. Go. Eight seconds. That’s nothing, it just blew by without you even noticing it. Now do this. Go and find a two-thousand-pound bull that is bred to destroy you, is meaner than Brad Pitt to the paparazzi, and wants nothing more than to slam you to the ground and stick his hoof through your spleen. Strap yourself on its back, and then hang on for 8 seconds. Yeah, those few ticks just became a loooooong time.
Obvious Question Guy has to ask, “How can the same amount of time blow by and feel like an eternity?”
Obvious Answer Guy says, “Perspective.”
The way you are looking at a situation will determine how you feel about it. And how you feel about it will determine how you act in it. You never know how someone else is seeing the exact same situation.
That is why we should be so careful not to judge the way someone acts in a given situation. You may think they are overreacting or being a drama-mama, and maybe they are. But you don’t know that. Cut’em some slack. Remember, what you see as no big deal, they may see as earth-shattering. You really don’t know what is happening in their head or behind closed doors. Give them a break, and maybe they will do the same for you when you freak out about something that seems small to them.

****You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same thing. – Romans 2:1****



PS
This Friday, Feb15 is MOVIE NITE!!
bring you
bring a friend
bring a toonie
@7pm
hope to see you there :)

Oh how He loves us!

so i am totally procrastinating washing my dishes right now, which is not the best thing because i currently have NO clean dishes in my house.....which is why i am cleaning them today so i can actually eat off of a plate and eat with a fork lol.
BUT, while i was washing my tremendous amount of dirty cookware, i was listening to my latest favorite band Jesus Culture.
they are AMAZING.
There is one song in particular i would like to post today.
The lyrics are below as well as a link to see their video on YouTube, i highly recommend you go check it out, what an amazing experience to just sit in your room, letting the volume surround the whole presence of where you are and absorb the love that comes out of this song.
I hope you enjoy it, i'm off to go do more dishes now, wish me luck lol :)


Oh How He Loves - Jesus Culture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWnvBM40xxw&feature=related

lyrics:

He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves.

So we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking
So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way

That he loves us,
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves

He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves