A couple of my favourite songs from a CD that probably no one else has heard:
Jesus Shirt
by Mukala
I wanna wear more than just a Jesus shirt
Like some kind of iron on to cover up the dirt
To throw away when I feel okay
You're so much more than that to me
I wanna wear more than just a Jesus ring
It's so much more than just a sentimental thing
That fades away like yesterday
You're so much more than that to me
I wanna be Your child
So come and walk with me
For more than just a while
So come and talk to me
I know that's Your style
So stay with me, stay with me
Forever
I wanna wear more than just a Jesus chain
Put it on and take it off; I don't wanna play that game
'Cause it comes and goes like shifting shadows
You're so much more than that to me
I wanna be Your child
So come and walk with me
For more than just a while
So come and talk to me
I know that's Your style
So stay with me, stay with me
Forever
So make a change in me
Come on and do your thing
'Cause I don't want, I don't want
To live this way, no, no
'Cause it comes and goes like shifting shadows
It comes and goes like shifting shadows
Don't wanna come and go like shifting shadows
You're so much more than that to me
------------------
High
by Mukala
Tonight I watched the sky and saw the stars around me
Fiery constellations
It's oh, so clear that You're not silent while,
The world spins underneath me.
Never do I take the time, just watch the years go flying by
Busy-bodies never stopping
And just when I resign, to think that I,
Will never see Your face again, is when..
You take me high
And let me see Your holy countenance
That frees me from the sadness of yesterday
You take me high
And let me find the face of innocence
I don't know how, I don’t know why, but
You take me high
When I believe the lie that You would never want me
I see myself through tainted eyes
Entrapped inside the walls of my disguise, looking for a new beginning.
I find the heavy life, oh so overbearing
I guess that’s why You said that I should bear Your yoke upon me
And like so many times, You take me in Your arms again, and then..
You take me high
And let me see Your holy countenance
That frees me from the sadness of yesterday
You take me high
And let me find the face of innocence
I don't know how, I don’t know why, but
You take me high
See the signs and take me high
Find a new beginning
Always such a consolation
And judging from my suffering
It’s only for a moment.
You take me high
And let me find the face of innocence
I don't know how, I don’t know why
I don't know how, I don’t know why
I don't know how, I don’t know why, but
You take, You take, You take me high
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Monday, September 26, 2005
Eye of the Storm
I've always wondered what it would be like to be in the eye of a hurricane. I wouldn't want to go through the hurricane to find out, but I wonder nonetheless. I mean, one minute the rain is pouring and the winds is battering everything beyond recognition, and then it's suddenly calm and clear. We've been through our own share of violent storms in Southern Manitoba (certainly not hurricanes, but sometimes hurricane-force) and the suddenness with which they started and ended had to be something like going into and out of the eye of a hurricane.
The eye of a hurricane is a region 20-50 km in diameter found at the center where skies are often clear, winds are light, and the storm's lowest pressure readings are obtained. While the storm rages around it, the conditions within the eye are downright pleasant... except for the knowledge that the other half of the hurricane will hit even harder than the first half did. But for those brief moments, everyone gets a chance to take a deep breath and brace for what is still to come.
Now, as we go through life we often experience our own storms... you know, those times when everything is really busy, things are starting to fall apart, and you don't know how you're going to make it through in one piece. These storms can be as destructive to our minds and souls as hurricanes are to the buildings they hit. But just like hurricanes, these storms have a center too.
You see, nothing happens in this world without God seeing it. At the very least, everything happens according to God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. This means, at the center of every storm, there is God. God is the eye... and whenever He's around, conditions can be downright pleasant.
As long as we keep our hearts centered in God's will, the storms that rage in us and around us will not dampen our peace and joy because we know that as far as our eternal fate is concerned, God is perfectly in control. As soon as we decide that we can make it out of the storm ourselves, we take our hearts out of the eye and into the wind and rain. Often in these circumstances, our pride won't let us return until our minds and souls are battered beyond recognition. But as soon as we focus our hearts on God, he restores us and keeps us safe from the forces that seek to destroy us.
So don't worry about the storms that rage around you. Keep yourself centered on God and His will for you, and the winds cannot touch your heart. The circumstances won't change, but whatever comes, you'll be able to rest in the peace and joy that only God can give.
The eye of a hurricane is a region 20-50 km in diameter found at the center where skies are often clear, winds are light, and the storm's lowest pressure readings are obtained. While the storm rages around it, the conditions within the eye are downright pleasant... except for the knowledge that the other half of the hurricane will hit even harder than the first half did. But for those brief moments, everyone gets a chance to take a deep breath and brace for what is still to come.
Now, as we go through life we often experience our own storms... you know, those times when everything is really busy, things are starting to fall apart, and you don't know how you're going to make it through in one piece. These storms can be as destructive to our minds and souls as hurricanes are to the buildings they hit. But just like hurricanes, these storms have a center too.
You see, nothing happens in this world without God seeing it. At the very least, everything happens according to God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. This means, at the center of every storm, there is God. God is the eye... and whenever He's around, conditions can be downright pleasant.
As long as we keep our hearts centered in God's will, the storms that rage in us and around us will not dampen our peace and joy because we know that as far as our eternal fate is concerned, God is perfectly in control. As soon as we decide that we can make it out of the storm ourselves, we take our hearts out of the eye and into the wind and rain. Often in these circumstances, our pride won't let us return until our minds and souls are battered beyond recognition. But as soon as we focus our hearts on God, he restores us and keeps us safe from the forces that seek to destroy us.
So don't worry about the storms that rage around you. Keep yourself centered on God and His will for you, and the winds cannot touch your heart. The circumstances won't change, but whatever comes, you'll be able to rest in the peace and joy that only God can give.
Monday, September 19, 2005
On Dating
*Disclaimer* - the ideas presented herein are based solely on theoretical thought and not at all on practical experience.
Ah, the modern ritual of meeting someone you like, going to movies to watch actors do a much better job of what you're trying to do, and probably not living happily ever after. You probably mix it up a little with dinners, walks, and other things that can be done together. But what's the point? Just to have some fun?
I certainly hope not. I mean, having fun helps, no doubt, but that shouldn't be the sole purpose of dating. If we just wanted to have fun, we could do that with large groups at just about any time... the people don't even necessarily have to be friends to have fun.
No, dating, in my opinion, should only happen with the purpose of working toward someday, perhaps, getting married. Otherwise, what's the point?
Again, not saying that the first person you date has to be the one you marry. Most definitely not. If it does happen that way, good for you, but by no means should there be that kind of pressure. No, what I'm saying is that dating should only happen if there is, on both sides, at least a faint hope that the relationship will end in marriage. Here's what I see as the progression of events:
1. Two people (for my purposes, they should be of opposite sex, but I realize that some probably disagree with me on that) mutually agree that marriage could be a future (even *hopefully* distant future) possibility for them.
2. They spend the next variable amount of time learning about each other... finding out the beliefs, tendencies, dreams, etc. of the other person.
3. Throughout that variable amount of time, they continue to evaluate whether or not marriage is still a future possibility.
4. If, at any point, the two people realize that there is something that would keep them from getting married (something that is not fickle and that could change after a week or so), they should be completely honest and tactful about it, in every attempt to save the friendship that was before/developed during the dating.
5. If that point never occurs and there comes a point at which there are more pros to getting married than cons, the process has been successful and the couple would, traditionally, get engaged (at which point they endeavour to know even more about each other).
Exactly what activites constitute the period of dating is as variable as the time period used for it. Hopefully the couple can quickly find some activities they both enjoy, but I should think there would be much better ways to spend time together than going to movies... I mean, you can't even talk in there.
Now, all this begs the question: Then how do I determine whether or not marriage is a possibility? That depends on what you see as the purpose for marriage, which will have to wait for another day.
Again, this comes from a purely theoretical standpoint, and has not been tested in any practical sense by yours truly, so if it doesn't work, I suppose I may find out eventually.
Ah, the modern ritual of meeting someone you like, going to movies to watch actors do a much better job of what you're trying to do, and probably not living happily ever after. You probably mix it up a little with dinners, walks, and other things that can be done together. But what's the point? Just to have some fun?
I certainly hope not. I mean, having fun helps, no doubt, but that shouldn't be the sole purpose of dating. If we just wanted to have fun, we could do that with large groups at just about any time... the people don't even necessarily have to be friends to have fun.
No, dating, in my opinion, should only happen with the purpose of working toward someday, perhaps, getting married. Otherwise, what's the point?
Again, not saying that the first person you date has to be the one you marry. Most definitely not. If it does happen that way, good for you, but by no means should there be that kind of pressure. No, what I'm saying is that dating should only happen if there is, on both sides, at least a faint hope that the relationship will end in marriage. Here's what I see as the progression of events:
1. Two people (for my purposes, they should be of opposite sex, but I realize that some probably disagree with me on that) mutually agree that marriage could be a future (even *hopefully* distant future) possibility for them.
2. They spend the next variable amount of time learning about each other... finding out the beliefs, tendencies, dreams, etc. of the other person.
3. Throughout that variable amount of time, they continue to evaluate whether or not marriage is still a future possibility.
4. If, at any point, the two people realize that there is something that would keep them from getting married (something that is not fickle and that could change after a week or so), they should be completely honest and tactful about it, in every attempt to save the friendship that was before/developed during the dating.
5. If that point never occurs and there comes a point at which there are more pros to getting married than cons, the process has been successful and the couple would, traditionally, get engaged (at which point they endeavour to know even more about each other).
Exactly what activites constitute the period of dating is as variable as the time period used for it. Hopefully the couple can quickly find some activities they both enjoy, but I should think there would be much better ways to spend time together than going to movies... I mean, you can't even talk in there.
Now, all this begs the question: Then how do I determine whether or not marriage is a possibility? That depends on what you see as the purpose for marriage, which will have to wait for another day.
Again, this comes from a purely theoretical standpoint, and has not been tested in any practical sense by yours truly, so if it doesn't work, I suppose I may find out eventually.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Fix Your Eyes
On the risk of sounding like I'm copying, there are three things I think I could just watch forever, four that could hold my attention continuously:
1. Fire is such a beautiful thing. From the smallest candle flame to the biggest bonfire, the flickering and dancing of a fire can captivate me like little else. This is especially true if there's a slight chill in the air, and the fire also serves to keep me warm. It's hard to believe that something so beautiful and so necessary can be so destructive when it gets out of hand.
2. Rushing water soothes my soul. Be it a babbling brook or Niagara Falls, I cannot get enough of watching water tumble over, around, and in between rocks. My mind cannot fathom the process that makes sure there is always a steady supply of water to dazzle onlookers. What makes it so that the water follows such intricate, seemingly random paths despite always going over the same rocks with the same gravity affecting it. And yet, just like fire, get too much of it and water can be very, very destructive, even though it is one of the things we need the most.
3. The Aurora Borealis are amazing. An effect created out of some of the most violent explosions in the universe doesn't hurt us, but give us a light show unrivaled by lasers, fireworks, or even lightning. The mesmerising changing of colours and dancing of the lights can keep my eyes trained heavenward for hours. It's the visual equivalent of music, for all I can tell.
4. Friends have to be the best part about living. If I had my way, I'd be with all of them all the time, but just like fire, water, and explosions of the sun, too much can be dangerous. But the best part is, even when I cannot be with my friends, my attention can be turned toward the good things we have done together and the potentially good things our future can hold. For though a fire eventually dies, water sometimes dries up, and the Aurora Borealis has to end in the morning, true friends are forever.
God has blessed us with beauty that is immesurable, even in this world. All of nature reflects God's love, power, and majesty to our minds in ways that are easier to comprehend. As much as we try, we cannot change nature. But what we do can have an effect on our friendships. Therefore, let us try, as much as we can, to reflect God's love, power, and majesty, in whatever way we know how, to our friends and to our potential friends (read: everyone else) so that God can be brought to them in ways that are easier to comprehend.
This can only be done once we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For otherwise, we know not what to do.
1. Fire is such a beautiful thing. From the smallest candle flame to the biggest bonfire, the flickering and dancing of a fire can captivate me like little else. This is especially true if there's a slight chill in the air, and the fire also serves to keep me warm. It's hard to believe that something so beautiful and so necessary can be so destructive when it gets out of hand.
2. Rushing water soothes my soul. Be it a babbling brook or Niagara Falls, I cannot get enough of watching water tumble over, around, and in between rocks. My mind cannot fathom the process that makes sure there is always a steady supply of water to dazzle onlookers. What makes it so that the water follows such intricate, seemingly random paths despite always going over the same rocks with the same gravity affecting it. And yet, just like fire, get too much of it and water can be very, very destructive, even though it is one of the things we need the most.
3. The Aurora Borealis are amazing. An effect created out of some of the most violent explosions in the universe doesn't hurt us, but give us a light show unrivaled by lasers, fireworks, or even lightning. The mesmerising changing of colours and dancing of the lights can keep my eyes trained heavenward for hours. It's the visual equivalent of music, for all I can tell.
4. Friends have to be the best part about living. If I had my way, I'd be with all of them all the time, but just like fire, water, and explosions of the sun, too much can be dangerous. But the best part is, even when I cannot be with my friends, my attention can be turned toward the good things we have done together and the potentially good things our future can hold. For though a fire eventually dies, water sometimes dries up, and the Aurora Borealis has to end in the morning, true friends are forever.
God has blessed us with beauty that is immesurable, even in this world. All of nature reflects God's love, power, and majesty to our minds in ways that are easier to comprehend. As much as we try, we cannot change nature. But what we do can have an effect on our friendships. Therefore, let us try, as much as we can, to reflect God's love, power, and majesty, in whatever way we know how, to our friends and to our potential friends (read: everyone else) so that God can be brought to them in ways that are easier to comprehend.
This can only be done once we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. For otherwise, we know not what to do.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
On Home
Home is where the heart is, truly. It is where one keeps all the things that are valuable; whatever that person determines is valuable.
Leaving home means leaving that which has true value. Often leaving home is a result of valuing things that are not really valuable. When we are away from home, we're putting our time and effort into collecting things that offer no satisfaction. The more we get, the more we want. We feel that if we get one more of whatever we're collecting, we'll be home. But when we get it, home just moves farther away. Sometimes we can even think we're going home, but we misplace value on something and we find that whatever it is doesn't actually bring us home.
Home, for me, consists of people. Whenever I am with the people I value the most, I am home. That value, as far as I know, is based on a mutual love for each other. When I must be away from those people, I often remind myself of what home is like by reading emails I've received from them in the past. Just reading their words reminds me of what it's like to be around them.
Sometimes, value placed in people can be misplaced as well, but even if no one around me has the same love for me that the people at home have, I have a constant reminder that there is a home for me.
Spiritually, I suppose the same applies. If all our focus is on God and His love, then heaven is our home. While we live in a place (ie Earth) where nobody has the same love for us, God's Word serves as a constant reminder that there is a place where the fact that we're loved cannot be questioned. That is home.
When we start to value things that are not eternal, we move away from our spiritual home. We start to despair because the things we now value are not giving anything in return for the value we've placed in them. But as we return to God, we realize that the investments we place in His eternal kingdom are guaranteed to give us a return of infinity per cent. We can trust that value placed in God is never misplaced. That is the love of God.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you." Hallelujah!
Leaving home means leaving that which has true value. Often leaving home is a result of valuing things that are not really valuable. When we are away from home, we're putting our time and effort into collecting things that offer no satisfaction. The more we get, the more we want. We feel that if we get one more of whatever we're collecting, we'll be home. But when we get it, home just moves farther away. Sometimes we can even think we're going home, but we misplace value on something and we find that whatever it is doesn't actually bring us home.
Home, for me, consists of people. Whenever I am with the people I value the most, I am home. That value, as far as I know, is based on a mutual love for each other. When I must be away from those people, I often remind myself of what home is like by reading emails I've received from them in the past. Just reading their words reminds me of what it's like to be around them.
Sometimes, value placed in people can be misplaced as well, but even if no one around me has the same love for me that the people at home have, I have a constant reminder that there is a home for me.
Spiritually, I suppose the same applies. If all our focus is on God and His love, then heaven is our home. While we live in a place (ie Earth) where nobody has the same love for us, God's Word serves as a constant reminder that there is a place where the fact that we're loved cannot be questioned. That is home.
When we start to value things that are not eternal, we move away from our spiritual home. We start to despair because the things we now value are not giving anything in return for the value we've placed in them. But as we return to God, we realize that the investments we place in His eternal kingdom are guaranteed to give us a return of infinity per cent. We can trust that value placed in God is never misplaced. That is the love of God.
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given unto you." Hallelujah!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
On Moving On
Why is it that whenever I start getting comfortable with people, they leave? I mean, for someone as socially hesitant as me, it takes a lot of determination and concentration to get to know someone. But then, it seems like as soon as someone becomes a really good friend, they're suddenly gone. As much as I try to keep in touch, not having them around makes keeping up with what's going on much more difficult. Then, even when I do see them again, they've become different people and I don't really know them anymore.
I could, of course, make new friends at that point, which I think is important to do anyway, but I tend to get even more hesitant with the thought that I'm going to keep starting over all the time anyway. By no means am I suggesting that I would trade the friends I have for something else, and I'm glad that my friends are finding their ways around the world, but somehow I wish being friends was easier to do.
Alas, I suppose all I can do is remember that true friends are forever friends no matter the distance between them... and work on making new friends, even though it has been my stated goal to get to know few people better, instead of lots of people hardly at all.
I could, of course, make new friends at that point, which I think is important to do anyway, but I tend to get even more hesitant with the thought that I'm going to keep starting over all the time anyway. By no means am I suggesting that I would trade the friends I have for something else, and I'm glad that my friends are finding their ways around the world, but somehow I wish being friends was easier to do.
Alas, I suppose all I can do is remember that true friends are forever friends no matter the distance between them... and work on making new friends, even though it has been my stated goal to get to know few people better, instead of lots of people hardly at all.
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