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.