With endings, come new beginnings

Note: I have created a new blog. I will not be using this one anymore (I don't think). Check out my new blog: http://nyssaariel.wordpress.com. The place I hope to write more often then I did here... but with time, we will see.

A continual exercise of love.

What would life look like if we were to love God in everything that we did? I know that as Christ followers we love God, but sometimes we say we love Him, then just go about our daily business without thinking of Him.

In his book The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence wrote about 'a continual exercise of love'. Bro Lawrence decided that he would 'make loving God the purpose of everything he did'. What if we decided to do this too?

Bro Lawrence also wrote that 'our only business is to love God, and delight ourselves in Him'. What if we went about our day, not focused on worldly or selfish things, not on pleasing others, or even serving others (which isn't a bad thing), not focused on building ourselves up, or even just getting through the day, but purely on loving God in everything we do. Everything. What would the difference be in our friendships, our marriages, our workplaces, or our time alone, if we were solely focused on loving God? Not even practicing spiritual disciplines is important or meaningful if we are not loving God first. We need to be motivated to do anything and everything, first, by loving God. We need to love Him in acts such as picking up a piece on litter in the park, washing the dishes, writing an email, interacting with others, going to work, eating, exercising, driving, making big or small decisions... anything and everything. We must be motivated by loving God. It seems so simple to say, but it is something that takes focus and discipline to do successfully.

Maybe I am struck and challenged by this because I personally have not had this as my one focus recently, but whatever the reason, it is something that I would love to pursue (and challenge you to do too). As Bro Lawrence wrote, 'all we need is a heart for going to God, resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but him - just for His sake - just for love of Him'.

Aliens and Dolphins

It’s movie review time! I don't typically write these, but hear go my thoughts based on two very noteworthy films that Chris and I watched a few weeks ago.

Film One: Avatar. Before I went, I had heard a few good things about it: that it had cool graphics, etc. And I sort of went dragging my feet a bit (I really didn’t care too much to see it). But let me tell you, it was awesome! The ‘real 3D experience’ was pretty cool. It felt like I could reach out and touch the grass and the flowers. Although there is a lot of room for improvement for the 3D aspect of the movie, I quite enjoyed myself.

Theological reflections of the movie: The same weekend we had seen Avatar, the visiting pastor at our church who was preaching, was criticizing the movie because it was supporting the idea of pantheism. Meaning of pantheism: All is God – the Universe and God are one. He went on for sometime about this… I don’t think it had much to do with the rest of his sermon. Sometimes I find that Christians drop a deuce on films and other art just because it doesn’t fit into their theology. My question is, 'why can’t they just enjoy the art form in front of them'? Who knows if the writer was trying to make a statement about pantheism (I don’t really care if he was or wasn’t), but there was so much to the movie that could have been used for to teach us about theology, specifically in regards to creation and our role within it (just a thought).

That same Sunday, we went to another church in the evening to shake things up a bit (I can only take so much CRC). I guess it was the weekend for using Avatar in sermons (good thing I followed the trends and saw it that weekend… I’d be lost). The pastors at this church used the film to enhance their point of freedom found in Christ. They suggested that we are similar to Jake (the main human/avatar) because a second chance presents itself. Jake gets a second chance when he went from human to avatar. He was lame as a humans, but now he can run as an avatar. They suggested that we as humans are in a similar situation that we were lame (and blind, and such), but there is freedom in Christ (that will give us our legs to run and eyes to see). Cheesy comparison? Maybe. But I preferred their approach to the film over the morning pastor’s approach. They found the redemptive qualities within the film. I dig that.

Film Two: The Cove. Really great film. I recommend watching it. It is a documentary about uncovering a dark and dirty secret of a small Japanese town. It uncovers the inhumane, unnecessary, and tragic slaughter of dolphins for really no purpose whatsoever. The film shows what is done and not done with the innocent victims. Some are sold for food (packaged as another fish or meat), and most others are simply thrown away. It is informative and moves you to change (or at least makes you reflect on your own actions within this world). Not that I eat dolphins or anything, but after watching it, it made me quite happy that I am a vegetarian. I know that North America probably doesn’t eat a lot of dolphin (although it does support institutions such as Sea World - which the film targets as one of the largest threats to the well-being of dolphins), but we don’t put much thought or care into the food we eat, the entertainment we support, and the products that we buy. Although there are a number of individuals and groups who are taking a stand to make a difference today to bring justice to all of creation (humans and animals alike), humans as a whole typically don’t think about who or what they are harming to get their food, products, and entertainment. It is a thought-provoking, anger-provoking, and action-provoking film that should be listened to.

It is finished

On Wednesday, I achieved greatness... or at least something I've been working at for a long while. I handed in my very last paper in my very last class of my MDiv. School = finished! Now, I just have to wait until May to make it all official.

Other than summer breaks and the few years before junior kindergarten began, I have not known life apart from being a student.

I think that I'll enjoy this new life without writing papers.

u2ube

So a lot has happened this past month-ish. Some really shitty things and some really great things. It's been busy, and there has not been much time to write. But here I am with some time... so let's focus on the great things that have happened.

Well most recently I have become a full-time employee of Tyndale as a Seminary Admissions Counsellor. Yay for full-time money! It's going well so far. Lot's to learn, but it'll be good. I'm going to be a recruiting machine.. I just know it! :) Last week, my first week, was a little, or a lot crazy, but now I'm getting more into the role and getting some real sleep at night.

Now that I've had time to sit back and relax (being sick will force you to do so), I had time to re-visit my wonderful experience with U2 in September. Yes that was a while ago, and I did mean to share about it back then, but youtube is a wonderful thing, especially when it airs live U2 shows! boom baby! So I didn't actually watch it live... it was past my bedtime... but I did get to watch the whole thing today, and it was wonderful. Let me briefly tell you of my U2 concert experience back in Sept.

Though the show didn't start until 7:30.. and U2 didn't even go on stage until 9pm, our day started much earlier. I dragged Chris (bless his soul) down to the Skydome at 2pm. And we waited in line.. for a very long time. In total, waiting and concerting, we stood for a good 9 hours. ouch. Anyways, it was well worth the wait, as it always is... :) We got so freaking close! We had one row of people in between us and the outer circle (you can check it out on u2ube for yourself). I got some stellar pictures if I may say so.

There were many memorable moments of the concert, but this by far was my favorite. It was the moment when they began to sing Amazing Grace. I'd say it was quite a worshipful moment. And all of a sudden they began to play Where the Streets Have No Name... by far one of the best songs written of all time.. not just by u2. Just saying. In the moment I felt like I would either puke all over the person in front of me or my heart was going to jump out of my skin.. I was so stoked! It was so incredibly wonderful! And I was reminded of this moment tonight as I watched it again online... though its way more awesome when your actually there.. when the beat is pumping through your body. So great!

That's it for now. I could say more. But I will let you watch and see for yourself the awesomeness that is u2.

Goodbye Friend

I never thought that it would end this way.
I never thought that Wednesday night would be the last time I would talk with you.
But thank you for reaching out to ask for prayer and support.
It was good to be there to support you and lift you up in prayer whenever you needed it.
And thank you for always being there for me when I needed prayer or to vent.
I'm really going to miss our chats.

I want to remember the good times we had together.
To remember the times when we laughed together.
How you told ridiculous stories that made me laugh so hard that I would cry.
The memories I have of you are beautiful and I will never forget you.

You were full of joy and of life.
You were always there to be an encouragement when I needed it.
I just wish that I could have just been there for you that one step closer.
It makes my heart ache that you had to go through this alone.
I knew you were having a rough go at things, but never even fathomed that your heart was in so much pain that you would take your own life.
I just hope that you knew that you are loved and would be deeply missed by an uncountable number of people.
You left a legacy.

A huge community has taken a hard hit because of all of this.
But we'll get through it together.
We'll get through it with the strength and grace from our loving Father.
It's the only way.
Because without Christ working in our hearts, this is just too hard to deal with.

We sang a song the other night as we gathered as a community to mourn and pray.
It filled my heart with hope and peace, in the midst of the pain and heartache that I am going through.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

So now as I and the rest of the community mourns the loss of our dear friend, we will stand strong in the arms of Christ.
As we are filled with sorrow, anger, frustration, guilt, and pain, we will stand together in prayer.
We will move forward in the strength of our Lord, not on our own strength, because really, we have none left.
May Christ be glorified.

As we move forward, and as we continue to grieve and ask questions, this affected community needs to hear in our hearts the words of the Psalmist:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Psalm 46:1-3

You are incredibly missed.
Dave, I'm at peace knowing that you are now at rest and free from the burdens of this world in the peace and love of our good and loving God.
See you in heaven buddy,
We'll catch up then.

George, Ewan, Jenny, and Me

So today I just happend to be shmoozing with the stars, and touched George Clooney's hand and got his autograph. No bigs... :)

It all started when Jenny and I got together for the afternoon downtown to walk around aimlessly. We said a few days ago, jokingly, that we could go around the downtown core and go on scavenger hunt for famous people, well did we ever hint the jackpot of all scavenger hunts! First, we had a nice time together: good drinks in an empty cafe, awesome brownies at the st. lawrence market, perusing through mec, and then a wander to Roy Thompson Hall. We didn't plan on going to the red carpet event... for we didn't know it was happening. There was a big crowd, and we were intrigued. We walked up to the crowd, and all very pretty silent. What was going on? We eventually asked a nice man there who everyone was waiting for. And to our delight, Ewan McGregor and George Clooney would be gracing out presence in about an hour or two. Well Jenny and I thought, 'let's stay and see who we can see'. About 45 minutes later Ewan came by and then 1/2 hour after that the one and only George. It was wonderful. Jenny and I ran all around to get the best shots and maybe an autograph. We got awesome shots. We got so close. We got autographs. And our hand met George's.

What a wonderful day.


P.S. You can read about jenny's account of the day at elementarymydearwatson.wordpress.com