"This one's for the girls"...

So I think it's time girls, that we take a look in the mirror. Now before you jump up to go and check to see if you need a makeup "touch-up" or if your hair needs a slight "re-styling," let me explain what I mean.

   I'm not talking about that mirror which we look in every day and see a pair of eyes staring back at us in either satisfaction...or disapproval, I'm talking about the mirror of our hearts.

   Don't deny it, all of us at some point in our lives have been discontent with our bodies...perhaps we still are. Maybe our hair's too thin, our feet too long, maybe we have "thunder-thighs" :D and our nose is too big, maybe we have "more rolls than the local bakery," or perhaps you have one elf ear, and one that's rounded. (a gift that God decided to bless yours truly with :) The list is endless, but honestly, why does it have to be so hard to be happy with the person that we are? 

Trust me, I've gone through this question so many times in my head, but still, every time I think I'm over it, I turn my head around and see just one more thing that I wish was different.

   The thing is though, every time we wish for something different, every time we complain about how we look, we're really slapping God in the face. 

God created man after His own image (Gen. 1:27)

"Then God saw everything that He had made and indeed, it was VERY good." (Gen. 1:31)

I think a huge thing that we often tend to forget, is that God's standard of beauty, is completely opposite of what the world tells us. According to the world, in order to be beautiful, we need to be 5'7", 120 pounds, flawless skin, long, thick shiny hair, size 2 waist, long eyelashes, and the list goes on and on and on and on and on. :P (Just look at any "beauty" magazine or any hair or makeup commercial....) 

   To God, in order to be beautiful, "Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." (I Peter 3 :3-4)

   God made each and every one of us JUST the way He wanted us to be. Now it's not wrong to want to be pretty and get dressed-up...things like that (I love it personally :) ) but if we're becoming so into it, that we start seeing the world's standard of beautiful to be more attractive than God's, and becoming discontent with the special person that God made us to be, then we're wrong.

   So I challenge you, alongside myself, that the next time we're tempted to complain about something concerning our bodies; let's remember that God loves a woman who follows after Him, whose life is filled with the joy of being a daughter of the King, a woman who serves others with a quiet and gentle spirit...to Him, that's more beautiful than any picture or any idea that any magazine, poster, or commercial may portray as "perfect" and "beautiful."

So what will it be girls? The worlds "beautiful?" or God's BEAUTIFUL.

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." (Prov. 31:30)

minor technicality :P

You have to copy and paste the link in the previous post for it to work...

Just putting it out there :D

Stubborn Dutch Guy! :P

ok, so in order for this song ...

http://msjmoerman.xanga.com/audio/19a0e481640/

to be as hilarious to you as it is to me, you probably, most likely have to be Dutch :P

Seriously though, you have to listen to it! :D

Stubborn Dutch Guy
Dan Hutten

I make a rap song
Tryin' to be cool
I don't know what I am doing
So I sound like a fool
My Dutch accent does not work
When singin' this way
'Cause I cannot pronounce
Half the words that you say

I don't know the language
'Cause I'm straight off the boat
From the Nederland country
Over there across the moat
Over there the way we do things
Is always right
Over here the way we do things
Is stupid because

He is a stubborn Dutch guy
I'm always in my coverall
Even at the shopping mall
He is a subborn Dutch guy
It does not matter what I say
Nobody listens anyway
He is a stubborn Dutch guy
Vhat, vhat, vhat, vhat?
I cannot hear you
A stubborn Dutch guy

I like my pipe organ
Very loud
Not only in the church
But in the tractor when I plow
And I'm een beetje* hard of hearing
But that is okay
'Cause even if I cannot hear you
I don't care what you say

I'm not very popular
I've never played a gig
That doesn't mean I'm not as good
As the Notorius Big
You won't even know what hit you
When it's a stubborn Dutch guy
Comin' to get you

He is a stubborn Dutch guy
You can hear me when I'm comin'
As I'm walking in my klompen
He is a stubborn Dutch guy
Every Sunday I am lucky
I get soup and een beetje Maggi**
He is a stubborn Dutch guy
vhat, vhat, vhat, vhat?
I cannot hear you

* een beetje means "a little bit"
** Maggi is a spice the Dutch often put in soup

Love always..your sister.

"Naomi! Leave us alone! Stop following us around, she came here for me..not you." And of course I ran into the house with tears streaming down my cheeks in self-pity, trying to convince Mom that I should be allowed to "hang out" with my sister and her friend.

"They're allowed some time alone, just leave them be." 

Not exactly the answer I was looking for, so I made up my mind to be the most annoying and frustrating sister that ever lived for the rest of the day. :P

In case you were wondering, this was before..like when Jacinda and I were both young, selfish and immature little brats :D Now, I'm not saying we're old, selfless and most mature now ( trust me, we're still very immature at times :D) but I think we can both safely say that we've grown up in the last few years. 

   Jacinda and I were the perfect example of what NOT to be as sisters. Our characters were so different (still are, but we've found a common ground now :) and we were constantly butting heads. We both had attitudes...big ones. While she was the bossy "miss know-it-all," I on the other hand was the cry-baby...big time. I couldn't take a joke, even if it was the funniest one ever told. :P Absolutely no teasing allowed...if that rule was broken, Naomi started bawling and wallowing in her own self-pity. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. It was bad..really bad. 

   As I look back now, I can't imagine what our lives would be like if the both of us hadn't been graciously saved by God's glorious hand. I'm pretty sure it would be awful.

Let's just say, that Jacinda and I have grown out of that selfish and petty relationship, and into one that's, how shall I say it..amazing?

She's been such a mentor to me...especially in these past few years. We used to share a room...actually as I write that down, I remember a good memory of when we were younger..let me share. :) 

   So it's the night before Jacinda's birthday and we're laying in our matching pink and white beds.

 "Jacinda, are you still awake?" I ask in a hushed tone (so I didn't get in trouble for talking of course :D).

 "Yea" came the more than awake answer of an excited birthday girl...

"I'm not telling you what I got for your birthday, but it starts with a 'P'" (I can't even write this without laughing :P..) We're what? Like 8 and 10..something like that. Jacinda starts guessing and I'm pretty sure it was the second answer when she got it right. 

"A pin?"

"Maybe...stop guessing!" 

"It is! It is!"

"Shhh..just pretend you don't know ok?" 

Jacinda had this knack for getting things out of me...whether I wanted to tell or not :P 

   Anyways..back to my story: before Jacinda got married..when we still shared a room, her and I used to talk at night. She always knew when something was wrong and she'd ask me about it. Like I said before, she knows how to get things out of me, and I always ended up telling her. (Which in the end, ended up being a blessing to me) She always knew what to say (still does), and she was always there to give me a hug and pray for me.

   Jacinda's married now (my big sister is married! :O)..to this pretty amazing guy Brad, and they're expecting their first child. (My niece or nephew!!!! :):) She's not always around anymore...to be expected, but I have to say, she's still as amazing as she was before she got married...if not more :)

What's the moral of the story? Well, I didn't really have one in mind when I started :P but I guess you could say that sister's are a blessing. I'm ashamed when I think of our relationship when we were younger, but by God's grace, I'm reminded that our lives are not our own and our plans aren't always His. 

   Girls, if you're reading this and you have a sister...treasure them. I mean, really treasure them. It doesn't matter whether their older or younger ( I also have two younger sisters), just make sure you work at having a good relationship with them..not good...but special. Get to know them, so you can develop a special bond of trust, honesty and love. It's definately worth it in the long run..trust me! Because God's given you your family...take them as a gift.   

   And guys...if you weren't actually bored out of your mind and read this to the end...Let me just say that girls adore brothers. Sure you might be annoying and frustrating at times (I speak from experience, seeing as I have one older brother) you may tease us alot and try our nerves till we cry :P, but there's still something about having a brother, that makes us want to smile..even when we think we're very angry and upset with you :P..so make sure you love your sisters..and show it, 'cause trust me..it will mean something.

From the pen of...a ready and AMATEUR writer :P

So I had to write an anglo-saxon epic for school..now I know it involves a "goddess," but it was a requirement to add some sort of mystical "divine interference" ...thus the reason for the whole  goddess thing :D

Here goes...

Thea

I sit here and weep,

All my bitter tears,

over the crash of the waves.

Alone and afraid, I wander the shore

My life is in ruins, no place to go, no place to hide.

They took him...

He was my leader, 

My strong arm to lean on, the voice inside.

Hand in hand, wandering over the vast whale-road.

Watching the moon-shine disappear 

over the silver peaks.

Counting the sparkling pins of the sky,

watching the tall, regal sea-wood

float past one by one.

Relishing the warmth of the ember tongues,

and safety of the stone walls.

A prayer slipping off,

up to where He's listening.

The darkness envelops my bone-case,

But I'm safe.

He's here.

Out in his boat,

Casting into the glassy mirror,

The ripples gently rocking

And it happened...

The gentle waves turned into a hole,

A whirlpool of no escape.

What could I do but scream, shake my fists up to heaven.

"No! Not him!"

Watching him there,

drowning in the fury of the evil one.

Suffering under the torture

of the heartless sea monster.

Pulling him every which way,

what must I do?

...Then she came...goddess Adiena.

Swooping down in all her glorious magnificence.

Grasping his hand, 

up from black despair.

He lay on the sand.

Gasping...alive.

I ran across the boulders, and fell down by his side.

I turned to thank her..she was gone.

I got him back,

the one I loved most,

my beloved father. 

Oops :P

So this is actually the link to the previous post :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OOhd6R2EiY

Listen to this!

One of my favorite singers , Josh Groban, is singing with the African Childrens Choir...one of my all-time favorite songs "You Raise Me Up."

This song is amazing and the little Africans are SO adorable! (almost tear- jerking...almost :P)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OOhd6R2EiY&feature=related 

I forgive you.

Why does change have to be so hard? It's bound to happen...people take different paths, dreams change, friends go their separate ways. Sometimes I wonder why God brings certain people into my life, just to have them leave again. It hurts...but why? Sometimes things go wrong ..in our eyes. Maybe someone, who we thought would share all our tears..all our smiles, maybe they do something that hurts us so deep...what do we do? We're called to forgive. Speaking from my own experience though, it's one of the hardest things for me to do. It's so hard to let go and forget when we've been wronged...sure "I forgive you" is a easy quick fix to a difficult situation when we don't want to deal with it, but really...do we truly know what forgiveness really is? It's so much more than just a "don't worry about it..it's done," type of deal...its a whole heart matter. Forgiving isn't building assumptions...it's looking at the problem from both sides..it's talking through it with the other person, it's examining your own heart and motives, it's being willing to let it go..all of it.

   This all I write from my own experiences. It's still not always easy for me to forgive, (and I'm sure I'm not the only one) ...it's actually one of the most difficult things to do. But think about it...I mean really think about all the times that Christ himself has forgiven you..forgiven me. We do NOTHING right and perfect and everything that we actually do, is tainted with sin. All this before a most holy and perfect King...our King.

   How much more then, do we need to forgive others? They've done nothing in comparison to what we do to Christ..each and EVERY day. It's not seven times seven..it's seventy times seven: over and over again. Not until we "get tired" of forgiven..Christ has promised his people that He'll never let them go..He'll never desert them. So I think personally for myself, that I need to make more of a conscious effort to forgive..readily and willingly; not just with my tongue, but with my heart...not a part of it, but the WHOLE entirety. 

preparation = blessing

So it's Saturday night....and I'm getting ready to head down for the night. I just had this thought cross my mind: how many of us are actually prepared for Sunday? Not like the: "is the hair washed? are my clothes laid out? do I know my catechism? who am I going to have over?..not that sort of thing. I mean our hearts. Are we preparing our hearts to be blessed for the Lord's day? He's set apart ONE day out of six. Is that to much to ask for a King? I mean, being sons and daughters of a King...the King, would we not want to be in His presence and be blessed by His precious Word? The more we want to be there, the more we'll want to be as prepared as possible: and the more we meditate and spend time getting to know Him better, the more we'll be blessed by Him and His Word. 

So let's take time...let's set apart a time. 20 minutes, 15...even if its just 10 minutes. Take that time and talk to God, engross yourself in His promises to you...you'll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes...it's an amazing feeling, knowing that He's actually listening to you..no matter how small and seemingly insignificant things may be to you, He's promised to listen to those who come to Him believing.

How awesome is that??

Adventures...

At the moment, I'm sitting on the couch in my brother and sister-in-law's basement apartment. I just got up and I'm working on opening my eyes and actually getting something done :D I took the train to Toronto yesterday morning at 7:04. My day couldn't have been more interesting...to start things off, Dad and I had 5 minutes to spare before I would have missed my train (this being only my second time on it...and alone at that :P)...after showing my ticket I walked up to the third level of the GO and took a seat by the window. From Hamilton to Oakville...no big deal. However, as all these interesting business people began boarding, I recieved a more than interesting seat partner. Rather over-weight and slightly smelling, some old guy say down beside me. In case you don't know me very well, we'll just say that I squeezed over as far as possible against the window and tried my hardest to make as little contact as possible :D (talk about being out-going :) Anyways, my ride continued on and by the time I arrived at Union Station, I had one rather over-weight and slightly smelling, old guy sitting beside me, a 30ish business man who sat the WHOLE entire time with his black sun-glasses on...slightly unsettling. :P To top it off, for the last half an hour, an older Asian gentleman joined our little party...so there I was...trying not to feel out-numbered and awkward in any way :D

Anyways, I arrived with no incident at Union Station...at rush hour. Yup, let me just tell you, rush hour in Toronto is not exactly all warm and fuzzy...no, people EVERYWHERE. Up and down the escalators, through the corridors, standing on the platform, sitting on benches, climbing stairs...wow...over-whelming to say the least! And there is absolutely and positively NO way of finding anyone..:P...thank goodness for cell phones! :D

I found my brother!

Wanting to take full advantage of his chance to show me around the transportation of Toronto, we then boarded the subway..not as busy..but still interesting. So different people! It's fascinating to watch all the different characters that God created..it really is.

So after touring Fairview Mall :D we came back to their apartment where Jana and I decided to conquer cookie dough :) Six dozen trays of cookie dough :) Feeling ambitious we went for a walk and then Jana cooked a super yummy dinner of chicken wraps :) We did some NCIS and then headed to bed...after which I don't remember much :P

So it's morning now, and we're about to leave for the Sportsman Show..I've had my coffee (which I'm positive is going to grow hair on my chest..ewww :P) and I'm ready to roll...thus ending my adventures for now.

I hope you all have an amazing day!

How Great Thou Art!

I wonder... how amazing it would be to be playing Chopin right now... outside...in this glorious sunshine...on a gleaming black grand? :):):)
I just got back from a most uplifting and relaxing walk :)...to the reality of counterpoint and music analysis. So I had this brain wave of doing my music stuff...outside on the deck. Sure maybe it wasn't the smartest idea ever, seeing as all my papers and notes seemed to fly everywhere, but to be out there..enjoying this incredible creation..totally worth it :)
Around where I live this time of year, it's a pretty soggy, muddy mess: but once you pretend that's not actually the case and look up into the sky...feeling the breeze whisper through your hair, taking the time to listen to the birds sing their praises, hearing the leaves rustle across the road, the neighbour kids laughing over nothing...the serenade of that bee, buzzing around my head :P It's all so wonderful and perfect :)
It's amazing how God created everything so intricate and detailed. Every leaf, every tiny bud, every ray of sunshine...everything works together so incredibly and paints this portrait which so clearly portrays the gloriousness of our Creator!

O Lord My God! when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power through-out the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee:
How great thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down, form lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

(chorus)

And when I think, that God, his Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bles and died to take away my sin.

(chorus)

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, and there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!

Always...

Last night I went to the Cambridge Bible conference where Rev. Ian Hamilton was speaking on the topic of Christian Joy. It's pretty amazing when you actually think of God's awesomeness, and that in itself should make us joyful Christians. I just thought I'd share some of the points he brought up so we can all bask in awe of the glory of God :)

Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and again I say: rejoice!"

I think when we actually read this verse we sometimes tend to forget that Paul was in prison when this was written. He's telling the church to rejoice always in the Lord...while he himself is suffering in exile. What's more, is that Paul isn't suggesting the church of Christ to rejoice, but he's commanding them to.
Maybe some of us are wondering how in the world are we, as human beings supposed to rejoice in all things? We're supposed to rejoice when someone we love passes on? When things go wrong? When we don't know where to go? What we fail to remember however, is that rejoicing isn't based first and foremost on feelings. Jesus himself wept, and that alone teaches us that He didn't forget our humanity.
The basis for our Christian joy is found ONLY on the Lord: not in pleasant feelings, or even in the blessings of the Word; only in who He is, and what He's done for us.
Now...when is the last time we were in awe, and humbled beyond what words can describe ...by the forgiveness of God and glory of the Father?
We have a God whose glory NEVER fails. Our lives are governed every moment of every day by God's sovereign hand..and He does ALL things well! Is that not reason to rejoice?
His love for his people never fails and never wanders and we can be comforted in knowing that His love will never end...because it never began. God's love is everlasting!
All of his promises are " Yes! and Amen in Christ Jesus." In ALL things, God works for the good of those who love Him...is that not incredible? All things!
Goes to show, that the rejoicing life, is the believing life.

Christian joy is knowing that He is yours..and you are His.

Are you rejoicing?

Laughing Cat

... if you're not laughing by the end of this...

...you're probably very mature :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5xKrqgpj8

time to smile?

So this joke...is for Uncle Peter :)
It's a little cheesy I know..but it made me smile (and I have a funny feeling, that even though you're going to think it's probably corny...you're going smile with me :P)
Here goes...
A newsboy was standing on the corner with a stack of papers, yelling, "Read all about it; Fifty people swindled!” Fifty people swindled! Curious, a man walked over, bought a paper, and said, "Hey kid, this is an old paper, where’s the story about the big swindle?” The newsboy ignored him and went on calling out, "read all about it; Fifty-one people swindled!”

To ponder...

To profess is to possess.

Think about it..

reality...

Why does it have to be so hard for us, as a younger generation, to stand up for what we believe in? I mean, so many of us have been raised in Christian homes, memorized scripture as young ones, gone to church every Sunday, attended catechism and youth group, but yet we're afraid...afraid of what?
Quite honestly, I believe, that so many of us are "Sunday Christians." We go through all the motions like a perfect example of what a son or daughter should be, but really...let's be honest with ourselves here, do we really and truly love Jesus Christ with all our hearts? Is He really first in our lives?
If we're doing the whole "church thing" because Mom and Dad expect it from us, then there's absolutely no possible way that we'll truly be able to answer honestly with conviction questions concerning our faith in God. Sure, maybe we'll have a scripture verse or catechism answer we once memorized, slip off the ends of our tongues...but is that really enough? Are we really going to stand out and be different to the world if there's no godly example to follow, no heart and soul involved?
You have to understand that I'm not writing this as the "accusing" party. Everything above, was once me. I know what it's like first hand because I was in that very same position and to be quite honest with you, I still don't like "sticking out." I would much rather be the follower rather than the leader, but I think that as faith grows and matures, "standing out" and speaking up won't be so hard. As true Christians, we should all be able to openly testify of God's love and mercy that's been bestowed upon each one of us, and just thinking about all those blessings we've recieved through Him, should make us want to shout out and sing His praises :)

So I challenge you, as well as myself to ask ourselves the question: " Do I really believe in Christ, and love Him enough, that it's ok for me to be "different", so that I actually CHOOSE to be "different?"

life..in general :)

It's sometimes a really hard thing, when what you want, isn't what God wants.
My life right now, is confusing to say the least. It's that time when you have to figure out what you want to do next, what your family thinks is best, and what God deems as best..all at the same time. You try and decide if you want to do this, or maybe try something else...you look at everyone around you and they seem to have everything in order. Sure, maybe I'm younger than everyone else, but still, why can't I know what to do with my life? There's so many different paths, so many different gifts..but only one right way.
This for me is where I realize that my life isn't mine. It's not about what I want, or about what other people think is the best way, but my life...is God's. Just saying that however, isn't enough. I mean, how many of us know that our lives aren't our own right? Probably all of us. But actually taking that next step, and embracing the fact that God will lead me down the right road, is another story. I've already experienced doors being opened and closed, things seeming clear, and then some time later they become muddy...I'm not going to lie, it's frustrating at times, and even depressing to some point.
Yesterday, I was having a down day...just really confused and wishing I knew what to do. I sat down with my mom and told her what I was feeling. As always, she knew what to say to make me feel better (that's what mom's are for right? :) It wasn't anything frilly or fancy, but she told me simply to pray. God knows what's best for our lives, and if we ask Him, He'll show us. He's promised that. "Pray without ceasing." Leave it in His hands and let Him do with it what He so desires for you.
There's no way that us human beings are able to know what's going to happen 10 years down the road, 2 years from now... not even 1 minute from now. The amazing thing is though, that God has every single detail, down to the number of breaths that we take and the number of hairs on our head...all perfectly planned out for us!life
So yes, there will be times when we'll be sitting there, hands up in the air saying "I don't know what to do! I don't know where to go! I don't know how I'm going to do it!" But just remember, that "the Father up above, is looking down in love." All you have to do is ask. Things may seem as if they're going in the complete opposite direction that we think they should go, but just because they seem right to us, doesn't mean that's what God wills for us...and He always does what's best for His people. What a comfort!

Yours.

A while back, I was having a really hard time with some things that were happening in my life. I sat down one day and had this brain wave :)...out of which came this song.

Yours

Who am I, to call you Father,
Who am I, to call you mine,
A broken wretch that I am,
I am lost without You.

Chorus:
Lord Jesus come,
take my trembling hand,
hide me in your wings.
Who am I, Who am I,
I am Yours.

Who am I, to call you Saviour,
Who am I, to call you Love,
my heart is torn, ripped apart,
make me new dear God I pray.

(Chorus)

On my knees, I cry to You,
all my tears, I give to You,
take this pain, give me grace,
lead me on, lead me through.

first times...

So this is my first time with this whole blogging thing :) I'll try my best to keep it up-to-date but I'll have to warn you, that whatever I write, is coming from my heart...it may not all be warm and happy all the time. There will be days when I'm down, days when I just need to write what I'm feeling. I hope that through this blog, I'll be able to be a blessing both to you, and you to me, and that together, we can laugh and cry, encourage and hold eachother up in prayer as brothers and sisters in Christ. :)