On the bus today there was a man preaching the word of God.
He didn't care who listened or about anyone's response. He was there to preach the truth of God's love. After he was done he just got off calmly and left.
He wasn't preaching on a condescending manner or with a lot of pizazz, but somehow there was power in the words he was speaking. The boldness that only the Spirit can give. I think we should all be more like that
Also accompanied my kids trick or treating (not take) it was soo....at risk.
Going to Stratford this week.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Born Into Brothels
-Watched a documentary on the life of kids born in the brothels of the red light district in India. It made me want to go get a teaching degree and give those kids an education at any cost so they won't have to be live in such injustice.
-Celebration Night tomorrow I'm excited my girls are doing a black light worship dance and it looks SICKKK.
- Today one of the kids snuck into the kitchen and grabbed A BUTCHER KNIFE and proceeded to chase and try to cut another kid.
Just another day.....
-Celebration Night tomorrow I'm excited my girls are doing a black light worship dance and it looks SICKKK.
- Today one of the kids snuck into the kitchen and grabbed A BUTCHER KNIFE and proceeded to chase and try to cut another kid.
Just another day.....
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Life?
One year a lot will change. I went back to MCBC for men's cell the other day and was surprised at how different the basement looked. It symbolic for me. A physical representation of the change that is happening everywhere around me.
Things will never be the same.
I remember saying something like "I won't miss this but I will treasure it"
Now that I look back... I do miss it. Growing up is bittersweet. On one hand you have a strong desire to push forward but on the other hand your scared of losing the people that will be left behind in the process. You've grown to much to go back but your reluctant to move forward.
Lately, God has been showing me gifts and abilities I had that I didn't even know I had. Its exhilarating but scary at the same time. When I start to piece together who I know I am so far, all my talents and gifts it all comes down to one thought: God is going to use me to do crazy things. He definitely didn't create me for a "normal" life. I think I would die or boredom living a normal life anyways.
Where will I be in 5 years?
Things will never be the same.
I remember saying something like "I won't miss this but I will treasure it"
Now that I look back... I do miss it. Growing up is bittersweet. On one hand you have a strong desire to push forward but on the other hand your scared of losing the people that will be left behind in the process. You've grown to much to go back but your reluctant to move forward.
Lately, God has been showing me gifts and abilities I had that I didn't even know I had. Its exhilarating but scary at the same time. When I start to piece together who I know I am so far, all my talents and gifts it all comes down to one thought: God is going to use me to do crazy things. He definitely didn't create me for a "normal" life. I think I would die or boredom living a normal life anyways.
Where will I be in 5 years?
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Be Persecuted.
Small groups today
Studying early Christians, the cultural context in which they lived and comparing it to how we live in the world today.
Its soo much easier to be a Christian when your persecuted than when your not.
In North America it seems dry like God isn't really present. In other countries across the world where its hard to be a Christian, God is doing amazing things that just blow my mind everytime I hear about it. In North America when we're NOT persecuted we get "bored." We end up doing more damage than good. We fight amongst each other, worry about things that aren't important and end up being so comfortable we forget about God. Whereas if we were being persecuted all the stupid things wouldn't matter and the important things would really be brought into light.
What really amazes me is that during times of intense persecution is when the body of Christ grows the most. I think to the past when the early Christians were persecuted by the Romans. They were being killed left center and right, but in the end Constantine ended up declaring the empire a Christian nation because of the amount of Christians! I also think of the countries today that are doing the best spiritually: China, India, Iran etc. I mean in China over the past decade over 130 000 000 people have become born again even under persecution.
In North America, its hard to be Christian when our nation is supposed to be "Christian." We do these things in the name of Christ that is completely against his word and tarnish His name. Leaving people skeptical of God.
Its almost impossible for the world to be able to tell those who have the light of Christ within them and those that don't and are using Christianity as a brand.
We get sucked into lies that cover the true light of Christ.
Its the small things I hear things like:
"Its ok to put school ahead of God"
"God wants us to get good marks in school"
"God calls all of us to get a degree and go to university"
"That idea is to crazy you got to be responsible God wants you to take care of your life"
All whack.
God calls us to give EVERYTHING up for His Kingdom.
That means we can't expect any of our plans to workout. We have to be open to what God is calling us to do day by day because it could change very fast and unexpectedly. Sometimes we're so set on something, we deceived ourselves into thinking that OUR plans is God's plan.
We're not called to get 90's in school and kill ourselves studying. We are called to do everything to glorify the name of God. That means to use the abilities that God has given to us to their full extent and to have a good attitude when working but not to lose sleep and to WORRY over it.
I've had some pretty crazy ideas but there are always these voices telling me that its stupid or that I haven't really thought about it.
We get this idea that being "safe" is "Christian"
but when I read the bible its COMPLETELY opposite.
I mean the early Christians weren't safe they SOLD EVERYTHING they had. They had NO security they depended on God for everything.
We tell God we long for Him and we question and ask Him why it seems like HE isn't working. Yet we don't give Him much of our lives to WORK with.
___________________________________________
Camp today was good. God is doing awesome things.
Pray for wisdom in how to train the older youth to be mature leaders.
Studying early Christians, the cultural context in which they lived and comparing it to how we live in the world today.
Its soo much easier to be a Christian when your persecuted than when your not.
In North America it seems dry like God isn't really present. In other countries across the world where its hard to be a Christian, God is doing amazing things that just blow my mind everytime I hear about it. In North America when we're NOT persecuted we get "bored." We end up doing more damage than good. We fight amongst each other, worry about things that aren't important and end up being so comfortable we forget about God. Whereas if we were being persecuted all the stupid things wouldn't matter and the important things would really be brought into light.
What really amazes me is that during times of intense persecution is when the body of Christ grows the most. I think to the past when the early Christians were persecuted by the Romans. They were being killed left center and right, but in the end Constantine ended up declaring the empire a Christian nation because of the amount of Christians! I also think of the countries today that are doing the best spiritually: China, India, Iran etc. I mean in China over the past decade over 130 000 000 people have become born again even under persecution.
In North America, its hard to be Christian when our nation is supposed to be "Christian." We do these things in the name of Christ that is completely against his word and tarnish His name. Leaving people skeptical of God.
Its almost impossible for the world to be able to tell those who have the light of Christ within them and those that don't and are using Christianity as a brand.
We get sucked into lies that cover the true light of Christ.
Its the small things I hear things like:
"Its ok to put school ahead of God"
"God wants us to get good marks in school"
"God calls all of us to get a degree and go to university"
"That idea is to crazy you got to be responsible God wants you to take care of your life"
All whack.
God calls us to give EVERYTHING up for His Kingdom.
That means we can't expect any of our plans to workout. We have to be open to what God is calling us to do day by day because it could change very fast and unexpectedly. Sometimes we're so set on something, we deceived ourselves into thinking that OUR plans is God's plan.
We're not called to get 90's in school and kill ourselves studying. We are called to do everything to glorify the name of God. That means to use the abilities that God has given to us to their full extent and to have a good attitude when working but not to lose sleep and to WORRY over it.
I've had some pretty crazy ideas but there are always these voices telling me that its stupid or that I haven't really thought about it.
We get this idea that being "safe" is "Christian"
but when I read the bible its COMPLETELY opposite.
I mean the early Christians weren't safe they SOLD EVERYTHING they had. They had NO security they depended on God for everything.
We tell God we long for Him and we question and ask Him why it seems like HE isn't working. Yet we don't give Him much of our lives to WORK with.
___________________________________________
Camp today was good. God is doing awesome things.
Pray for wisdom in how to train the older youth to be mature leaders.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Story
Come Children and listen to the story
The story of God the King of Glory.
Since the beginning of time,
Father, Son, Spirit existed in perfect rythme.
His love was so great he couldn't help but create
People He could fill with His love who in turn could create to show more love.
Everything was perfect. Everything was good.
But you see then we were all deceived. Tricked into eating the forbidden fruit
and thats when sin started to take root. Becuse of our lust for power what was good turned sour.
The serpent was to blame and since then we've been trapped in his evil game.
Held down by our sin unable to win.
but God the main character
In His love promised a saviour.
Christianity ain't no philosophy, epistemology, ideology
its a......lifeology made possible only through God the Father
who sent His perfect Son Jesus to be slaughtered
so that we can be called His sons and daughters
yeah, so that we can be called His sons and daughters
In Him we have life that is beyond this life.
We are free from our sins that are hidden deep within.
Given a hope an inexpressable joy
A supernatural love that sanctifies our souls.
A clean start a new heart.
We've all been down to the bottom
We all got stories when we've hit rock bottom
When the pain is so great you think that no one can relate.
Every day is a fight there seems no point in doing whats right.
its in those times when God does His heart surgery
and heals our spiritual injuries
Changing us to who He wants us to be
Revealing truth so we can see true reality.
In Christ you are more than a conqueror
Through him you inherit the Holy Spirit who gives us power to face
each challenge that comes as we run the race.
So
Bring Glory to the Great King.
The story of God the King of Glory.
Since the beginning of time,
Father, Son, Spirit existed in perfect rythme.
His love was so great he couldn't help but create
People He could fill with His love who in turn could create to show more love.
Everything was perfect. Everything was good.
But you see then we were all deceived. Tricked into eating the forbidden fruit
and thats when sin started to take root. Becuse of our lust for power what was good turned sour.
The serpent was to blame and since then we've been trapped in his evil game.
Held down by our sin unable to win.
but God the main character
In His love promised a saviour.
Christianity ain't no philosophy, epistemology, ideology
its a......lifeology made possible only through God the Father
who sent His perfect Son Jesus to be slaughtered
so that we can be called His sons and daughters
yeah, so that we can be called His sons and daughters
In Him we have life that is beyond this life.
We are free from our sins that are hidden deep within.
Given a hope an inexpressable joy
A supernatural love that sanctifies our souls.
A clean start a new heart.
We've all been down to the bottom
We all got stories when we've hit rock bottom
When the pain is so great you think that no one can relate.
Every day is a fight there seems no point in doing whats right.
its in those times when God does His heart surgery
and heals our spiritual injuries
Changing us to who He wants us to be
Revealing truth so we can see true reality.
In Christ you are more than a conqueror
Through him you inherit the Holy Spirit who gives us power to face
each challenge that comes as we run the race.
So
Bring Glory to the Great King.
Friday, October 23, 2009
All Around Downtown
Went to the Argos game with the kids today.
Good times. Except the game was boring.
God worked and I didn't have to do a thing.
The kids came across a homeless person and started talking to him, then a street musician I could see they really got a lot out of just talking to them.
They're starting to talk about God more and asking questions which is good.
The only incident we had was a kid almost getting hit by a subway because another kid pushed him.
"All Asians are rich man stop lying"
"man why do you people always have awesome talents your taking over everything"
-quotes of the day from my kids about asian ppl LOL
The other day we had a class on preaching.
I am required to prepare a message deliver it.
awesomeness
Good times. Except the game was boring.
God worked and I didn't have to do a thing.
The kids came across a homeless person and started talking to him, then a street musician I could see they really got a lot out of just talking to them.
They're starting to talk about God more and asking questions which is good.
The only incident we had was a kid almost getting hit by a subway because another kid pushed him.
"All Asians are rich man stop lying"
"man why do you people always have awesome talents your taking over everything"
-quotes of the day from my kids about asian ppl LOL
The other day we had a class on preaching.
I am required to prepare a message deliver it.
awesomeness
Thursday, October 22, 2009
UH...Rapped?
I was really tired today.
Made a lot of mistakes.
but also learned a lot.
For the celebration night on the 30th the girls at camp are doing a black light dance
They were doing their dress rehearsal today... and it was beautiful.
It took a lot of effort to get them to concentrate during practices but it was worth it.
The love language of this culture is very different. A lot of more physical. Which is completely opposite of the Chinese culture. It gets time to adjust to.
So today after camp all leaders except me had a meeting. However they did not know that SIX of the girls (the most hyper ones) were still in the building. So as I'm getting ready to leave they all run into the gym and jump on me. They are vicious. I kept trying to get them to go home but they wouldn't leave. Things got really physical. At Urban Promise it is against policy to have any physical contact except for high fives but I really had no choice. I tried.
I think it was after I gave up that I realized that they were just playing and this is how they showed love.
Made a lot of mistakes.
but also learned a lot.
For the celebration night on the 30th the girls at camp are doing a black light dance
They were doing their dress rehearsal today... and it was beautiful.
It took a lot of effort to get them to concentrate during practices but it was worth it.
The love language of this culture is very different. A lot of more physical. Which is completely opposite of the Chinese culture. It gets time to adjust to.
So today after camp all leaders except me had a meeting. However they did not know that SIX of the girls (the most hyper ones) were still in the building. So as I'm getting ready to leave they all run into the gym and jump on me. They are vicious. I kept trying to get them to go home but they wouldn't leave. Things got really physical. At Urban Promise it is against policy to have any physical contact except for high fives but I really had no choice. I tried.
I think it was after I gave up that I realized that they were just playing and this is how they showed love.
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