This song is a tribute to the life of Johnny Cash, compiled by various famous actors and actresses. I first saw this music video on Star Daily, amidst a whole bunch of stories that are not that God honoring, and it kind of surprised me. I wonder why, out of all Johnny's songs, this one was chosen. It is a very heavy message, and I just hope that the people who appeared in it understand what it says...

Abstinence

When will they see?

The hateful fingers of the icy wind penetrate the girl's thin cloak as she stands outside the church, unsteady and afraid. Countless days she sat in that familiar building, sunday after sunday, feeling righteous and untouchable... and now she's here, unable to enter, but unwilling to leave. She has no where to go. Her friends... they scorn her. Those she looked up to let her down. Her mentors abandoned her, and her family denied her love. She is alone...

She carries the stain of her sin, she bears a name she's ashamed of. Many times she pleaded with them to leave her alone, but there is no relent. She can hardly handle her own guilt, let alone the scorn heaped on her by others. Her tormentors have long since forgotten that she has received her punishment, that she is dealing with the consequences. They take it upon themselves to remind her daily what a horrible, dirty woman she is.

The only consolation she has is that God knows, and He is just. Yes, it pains her greatly to know she brought shame to the name of the Lord, but at least she is not hiding guilt. Her fall gave her a sincere, penitent heart she never imagined possible. Her accusors will never know repentance until the day they are stripped naked before a holy God.

And now she is in agony, for she knows not whether to take her new-found faith and rebuild her tattered life, or to stay and petition the people to see their own hidden sins. Will they listen to the pleadings of a harlot? Or will it take mighty God to strike them down?

So she lingers in the shadows of Sodom, around the corner of Gomorrah, abused by the sinner and sanctified alike. The wind never ceases to blow, the enemy never fails to accuse. She is alone... abandoned by people, but adopted by God. Every day she is handed her scarlet letter through the glares and whispers of the passerby, and every day she gives it up to God. Repent falls from her lips as she cries tears for the lost. She sobs...

...when will they see... what will it take?

I feel yucky.

I feel really yucky today. Last night about 2 hours before I went to bed I started to get a sore throat. I didn't think much of it because I often get a sore throat before I go to bed. Silly person. Little did I know that the evil SINUS COLD would attack my poor little head. So, today my eyes hurt, my neck hurts, my back hurts, my throat hurts, and my tummy spins around. But, hey, at least I'm almost 18!

Spring-a-ling Breakage

Well, I'm in Regina for the second weekend in a row, except this trip is a little different. I am not here with my youth group on a missions trip, but I'm here with my mom to visit my Aunt Diane and family. It feels so good to get away from home! Sometimes a person just needs a break from the monotony of every day life.

It's spring break, which means that summer is going to close in on us shortly. I can hardly believe that there is only 3 months of school left until I graduate! Honestly, that feels so strange! I don't know if I am ready to face the "big bad world", but I think that I'll have to jump in regardless of how prepared I feel. And, what's more is that 4 days from now I turn into an adult. That's right, children, I turn 18 on March 28th. On that day I bid farewell to all my childish ambitions and become a hard-working, responsible young lady. Hahaha... yeah, I don't think I'll change much in 4 days.

I'm considering going to Rescue College in October. I was a little reluctant to dive into more education at first, but it is better for me to get busy than sit, twiddle my thumbs, and whine about not knowing what to do. That's right, I will not let my idle hands become the devil's playthings! Actually, I'm looking forward to the future a lot at this moment. Strange, considering what a basket case I can be when I don't know what's going on.

Well, my dear readers, that is all I have to inform you about today. Take care, and watch out for potholes (more accurately labelled evil, bottomless pits designed to give you whiplash, wreck your tires, spill hot coffee all over your cream-coloured pants, throw off your wheel alignment, and make you need to use a washroom reeeaallly bad).

Be Unto Your Name

Can you grasp how miraculous a thing it is to be spared spiritual death and damnation from a Holy God? Can you perceive the ultimate importance of preaching Christ to this lost world? Do you even know that your life is a mere grain of sand on the beach of time?

We are nothing, nothing compared to the Creator of everything from everlasting to everlasting. Our miriads of what we think to be reputable deeds are filthy rags before One who's brilliant white robe fills the temple of God. Our minds cannot comprehend the mind of God. Our eyes cannot bear to see such perfection. Our ears have never heard such sweet music of adoration!

How can we even speak the name of the Lord without fear and trembling? How can anything but adoration escape our breath? How can we constantly deny the Holy One of His beloved, made in His own likeness? How can we not be completely astounded by the author and perfector of our faith?

Be Unto Your Name

We are a moment, You are forever,
Lord of the ages, God before time.
We are a vapour, You are eternal,
Love everlasting, reigning on high.

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your Name,
Be unto Your Name.

We are the broken, You are the healer,
Jesus, Redeemer, mighty to save.
You are the love song we'll sing forever,
Bowing before You, blessing Your Name.

Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your Name,
Be unto Your Name.

My Plan vs. God's Plan

I am very, very tired today because this past weekend was the most physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stretching time I've experienced since working at camp. The Bagot Youth group and the EMC youth group came together to embark on a mission trip experience in Regina, SK. I went on the same trip last year, but this year's trip shattered all of my expectations. Here's just a breakdown of the first day's events, which seemed to set the tone for the whole trip.

Thursday, March 15th:

• 8:00 AM - Wake up to blizzard conditions. Fear trip will be cancelled.
• 9:30 AM - Drive nervously to Brandon and back for braces appointment.
• 11:00 AM - Sun dries off highways, trip plans still in motion.
• 5:30 PM - Scheduled departure time.
• 6:00 PM - Behind schedule, but no harm done.
• 6:30 PM - Depart, but knowingly leave without Pedro, the no-show. 1 hour behind.
• 8:00 PM - Emily becomes very ill. Stop #1 at Virden gas station.
• 8:10 PM - Continue on trip.
• 8:25 PM - Emily can't go on. Our car turns back to Virden, the rest continue.
• 8:40 PM - Stop #2 at Virden gas station.
• 8:45 PM - Virden hospital. Emily is sick.
• 9:05 PM - Stop #3 at Virden gas station.
• 9:10 PM - Heading back to Brandon to drop off Emily with her parents.
• 9:40 PM - Emily is safe with her parents, and we resume our trip.
• 10:10 PM - Stop #4 at Virden gas station.
• 10:15 PM - On the road again.
• 2:00 AM - Roll into Regina. Forced to find a hotel.
• 2:30 AM - Sleep.

As you can tell, things didn't necessarily go as planned on the first day. And it did not stop there. Numerous other people became sick, which slowed everyone down a little. And then, well, the boys acted like boys and some other "fun" little detours came about.

I could say that besides all of that, I was really impacted by the trip, but that would not be right. I was really impacted by the trip because it didn't go as planned. There is a saying that if you want to make God laugh, have a plan. Well, I had my plan, but God had His. He wanted to teach me! I learned that I should not be so rigid in what I do. I learned that Christians should hold everything in common. I learned that there is nothing praisworthy in me. I learned that I struggle with sin just as much as the people the Mission takes into the recovery program struggle with sin. I learned that God will provide for you in whatever task he calls you to, even if you feel completely inadequate. In fact, it's better that you are inadequate! The smartest person is the person that knows they are not smart. I am so thankful to God for His blessings, for speaking in such personal ways. I love Jesus!

Oh, and we just had to visit Virden for gas station stop #5 on the way back.

To Play the Passion

I love playing the piano. I can still remember my first piano lesson with Mrs. Benson in small town Dalmeny, Saskatchewan. I was so excited to learn, and I hardly left my piano at all for the next couple of weeks. I felt like the piano was part of me. Ten years and two teachers later, I am still just as enthralled by the creamy white and ebony black keys.

I can't say that I am the most accomplished musician, for I can hardly play in front of my parents without messing up. But I love it with every part of my being. So, I must thank Mrs. Benson for recognizing my young talent, Mrs. Arundell for putting up with me always forgetting to come for lessons at recess, and, most of all, Julianne Dick for being the most supportive, encouraging, and accomplished piano teacher I could ever imagine!

George Stroumboulopoulos and Franklin Graham

Well, I've already blogged today, but I caught something on TV that I just had to comment on. George Stroumboulopoulos, host of the CBC show "The Hour", was interviewing Franklin Graham. Kind of ironic, I thought.

Franklin was extremely true to the Word of God, even though George tried to focus the interview on sticky issues like pre-marital sex, and even on any discrepancies Franklin may have with his father, Billy Graham. He obviously didn't agree with all that Franklin had to say, but that didn't matter. Franklin was bold, and the gospel was preached!

If you'd like to see the whole interview, check out http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=1443.

Joey

Joey is the most amazing guy I have ever known. We've been "courting" for over 8 months, 6 which have been over a long distance. What keeps this relationship going? you might ask. It is simply this: God was the one who worked things so that we knew we should pursue a relationship together. He is the tie that binds us, and if ever Joey or myself thinks of the other as more important than God, this relationship will fail. We gave this relationship to Christ at the very beginning, and He is leading it according to His own good purpose.

It completely amazes me how much God has grown both of us through eachother. I am constantly being challenged, encouraged, and supported by Joey. He never fails to point me to Christ's perfect example, he's incredibly humble beyond belief, and he is being used by God! I can only hope that in some small way I affect him like he affects me.

What's on your mind?

Hello, everyone!

I have had a lot on my mind lately. Here are some of the things occupying my thoughts...

• Grad
• what to do after grad
• Joey in Whitehorse
• the many people that have turned/are turning away from Christ
• how to reach out to people for Christ
• our church and it's workings
• our church's mission trip to Soul's Harbour Rescue Mission

I have to admit that I have been completely consumed with these things, as well as a few others not listed here. I have been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I do not think it has been good. It is so easy to let the worries of life completely surround you and dictate your every move, but that is not what God intends for His children. Listen to what God says in His word...

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

Christ does not want us to be so taken with the things that nag us daily that we forget Him. Take a look at the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-23.

"Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds... fell among
the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out."

The explanation:

"And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears
the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the
word, and it becomes unfruitful."

If we, as Christians, claim to know the Lord Christ Jesus as Savior and King, and we don't give even the most trivial of things to God, our faith will be choked out and we will not produce fruit for Him.

These verses serve as much-needed reminders to me to worship God and God alone. He alone should be the substance of my thoughts.

Now, as I sit here in a comfy chair in a quiet house with a warm cup of tea, I ask you this: What's on your mind?

Mexico Pictures

Computer Art

Whoever said that computer animation isn't art should watch this!

Of television, snow drifts, and lazy days

School was cancelled Thursday and Friday due to a large amount of snowfall (and additional snowfall warnings) and black ice on the highways. I did not complain in the least about this extended weekend, although it meant that I was home-bound for two days with nothing really to do. I had no homework to work on and youth was cancelled.

I watched TV. I watched more TV than I have in a long time. What I saw was shocking! Television has become so extremely sex saturated! Almost every commercial has some male/female relation inuendo, and you can hardly make it through one show without a very intense kiss scene.

Now, I'm not a prude, but there is just some stuff that should be left unspoken, unseen. I'm worried about the younger audiences that are watching! They idolize everything they see on TV, and now they are idolizing sex. It's really sad. I think that I am going to very VERY carefully assess the shows I watch on the tube, because, whether I think it or not, it will start to affect my walk with God.

Television might seem harmless to you, but I believe it is a gateway for the devil to enter Christians' lives. You find yourself being carried away in fantastical storylines, your emotions get entangled in unrealistic romances, and you begin to compare your life to the lives of the people on TV. The most dangerous thing about it is that when you watch TV, you shut off your mind. We are supposed to keep every thought captive for Christ, but how can that be done if we are not the ones controlling our minds?