So, I just spent an amazing weekend at Nipawin Bible College with my fiance. I spent 2 years in Nipawin at the Bible school and made some absolutely incredible friends. Both nights there, we talked late into the night about what is going on in our lives, about struggles and events and missions, about what God has been doing and is doing. I am not even sure why I am writing all of this down other than I am very excited about it, and about being in missions, and getting other people excited. I was at the Wycliffe Cafe tonight, and that place has been such a source of encouragement for me. It is so cool being around people who are excited about God. I really have structure to this post, and no idea in what direction to continue, so I will quite for now.

Unsatisfied

When I was finished Bible school I expected that I would have nearly the amount of opportunities to learn as I did when I was there. God has chosen to bless me with a rather interesting boss though. He is a Christian, but sometimes I really disagree with the way he says things, or some of his view points. Sometimes he completely blows me away though. He is not a guy that likes to be told what to believe, nor am I. He brought me an article today about dieing to sin. I can't really explain all that was in the paper, cuz there was so much to think about. I just wonder if we, as North America Christians, have developed a misconception about what it really means to have died with Christ, and died to sin. And then how do we live it out. The article I read can be found at www.theshovel.net, in the writings section under Romans. I think the guy has a very good point that we seem to have this notion that dieing with Christ is a metaphor, but he gave a very good reason for why it is not just a metaphor. This afternoon, when I got home from work, I was listening to the song "Grace Like Rain" by Todd Agnew, and it got me thinking about what grace really means. My thoughts didn't have a whole lot of time to form on that topic, but I have been wondering a lot in the last few months whether we are really living out the faith God has so graciously blessed us with the way we were meant to live it out. I really think that if we had a better understanding of all that Christ did for us, and how unmetaphorical it is, that we would live radically different lives. A big movement over the last while has been experiential Christianity, to always "feel" like God is near, or that you have the Holy Spirit in you, or just feel good all the time about life and God and whatever else. This movement has pushed Christians away from actually thinking through what they believe. Believe me, I have seen friends follow this line of thinking. As one of my college profs said, the sort of subconcious moto of this mindset is that "I am a Christian, I am stupid, and I am proud of it." I urge those who read this to not just swallow what mainline Christianity feeds you. Think things through, see if that is what the Bible really says, research it. There is nothing wrong with questioning what you believe, it gives you the chance to grow. Paul commended the church in one of his letters for researching what he was teaching them to make sure that what Paul was saying was right. Anyways, I think that is enough ranting for one night.

Twas Not The Night Before September 11th, But History Was Still Being Made

Well, sometimes God takes a while to work out His plan, and other times He does it sickeningly quick. This last week was probably one of the most stressful weeks I have had in a very long time. The long Thanksgiving weekend was sweet, plus I got the Tuesday off as well. I did a fairly major purchase on Tuesday, not that it was terribly expensive, but the significance was life altering. The rest of the week I spent trying to figure out if the direction I was heading was the direction God wanted me to be going. I knew it was the right direction, but I was still so stressed. Saturday came around. I headed down to Impact Body Art to get my third and largest tattoo, to date. It cost me quite a bit more than I was expecting. Earlier in the afternoon I had gone to pic up my brother's late wedding present and found out I did not have the money. All this served to only stress me more. A little stress was alleviated when I realized I didn't have the money due to the long weekend, and that I would have access to it after this weekend. But I digress. After my tattoo was done I headed home, got changed, and headed to Melissa's to pick her up so we could go for supper. I was taking her to an Indian restaurant, among other reasons, so I asked her to wear her sari. On the drive over, however, I realized that despite this lovely plan to take her out for Indian, I had no idea what to say once I got there, making me more stressed. I got to her house, she opened the door, I went in and pulled out the item which I had acquired on Tuesday, and Melissa said "Are you serious?" And I thought to myself "Maybe I should get down on one knee." So I did, and I said "Melissa, will you marry me?" And she said "Ya." And then we hugged and went out for supper. Well, hope you enjoyed that as much as I did, but I doubt it, especially the anti-climactic ending. And this is the ring she gave me, her purity ring. Her siblings all have them and they give them to the person they are going to marry.

legends of the fall

Why is it so easy to fall? All the truly good things in life take so much time and effort to make work, but slipping up takes about the same amount of effort as it takes a healthy person to breathe. Tonight I was on the verge of stepping back into a chasm that I had been spared the sight of for a comparatively long time. I was so far as to have one foot firmly placed on nothing but air. But, through the help of an amazing girlfriend, whom I am sure was praying for me, and a roommate who's mere meandering helped instill the fear of being discovered, I was able to get that foot back on something a little more solid. Most of you who are going to read this will probably realize pretty quickly what I am talking about, and are probably wondering why I would write about such a struggle for the public to see. I felt a need to, is about the best answer I can give. To the rest of you who have no idea what I am talking about, or who don't even know me but just happened to stumble upon my blog, that is ok, I am not going to elaborate on what is my most effective means of self-destroyal. But, I would like to say to you, the strangers, and to any of my friends who are stuck in a valley right now instead of sitting on a mountain top, DON'T GIVE UP!!! God says that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle, and that He will provide a means of escape. Tonight my escape came in the form of my roommate walking around. Take it from one who spent many years in a valley committing one of the most damaging sins talked about in the Bible; You can fight through it. God is not going to sit back and let you wallow there on your own. We live in a sinful world, and some struggles aren't going to disappear in this life, but that doesn't give us the right to give up, and God is going to give you the strength you need when you need it. But, you have to make the choice to accept His help. Well, that will be the end of my ranting for now. I truly hope this helps someone.
God bless!

twas the night before september 11th

Twas the night before September 11th, and all throughout the city... life went as normal. But in one little car driving through the Northeast life was changing for two people. So, this last monday, September 10th, Melissa Good and I decided to start dating. But, to take you back to the beginning, it all started 2ish years ago in a small town in northern Sasktatchewan. I was attending Nipawin Bible Institute(not college), and every year we have a missions week. Well, this particular year a group from VTI had a display there. I saw the display and had a look. I new a few people that had been on teams there, so I had a look at some pictures and started talking with one of the girls. She was from Calgary, so we talked about Alberta(I would assume Alberta came up in conversation seeing as we live here, but I am not completely sure). She mentioned she had a brother who ran an outtrip program at Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp. So, she gave me his number, and that was about as far as our "friendship" got. I thought it would be cool to meet up with her sometime, but for the most part I forgot completely about her. Then, a couple months ago, I was sitting in the Wycliffe Cafe and this girl comes over and starts talking to me. We both felt there was something familiar about the other, so we tried to figure out why and realized it was from NBI. We began hanging out a bit, then she took off for India for 3 weeks. The 3 weeks past and I was looking forward to seeing her again. Shortly after she got back she invited me to come along with her family to CLBC for the long weekend. We had a lovely time hanging out, but that was about it. Shortly after that I received and email with a somewhat vague comment about "us." We talked about it, and found that each of our feelings for the other had moved beyond mere friendship. As we discussed over the next few days what it would mean to pursue a relationship God kept putting things into place. That next sunday I talked to her dad and got his blessing, and monday night, as we drove to the Wycliffe Cafe, I very romantically asked her if she would like to go out, if you can say "so, shall we?" is romantic, and we have lived happily ever after for a total of 4 days. Hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed being the story, but I really doubt you did as much as I did. God bless!

the pad

So, I am officially moved in with Shane. The place needs a bunch of work yet. We are going to do a little painting in the hall, kitchen and bedrooms, and put in hardwood and hopefully have the kitchen renoed. But, I thought I would put up a few pics so you guys could see what is going on here. Here is our lovely entertainment centre. And this is our sweet futon and Sir Hiss' home. A little African theme goin on here.One side of my room. Calendars make wonderful posters.And here is the other side of my room. LOTR and Narnia, nothing else can take there place.

so it begins... the second

Well, another process was started this last monday. I had a meeting with my friend, Shane's, dad who works for Wycliffe Bible Translators and who asked me if I would like to work there. So, after a couple weeks I decided to actually apply. So, now I am in the midst of a yearish long application process. I am not 100% sure what my job would be, but basically I would be trying to find people to actually go out and translate, I think. So, if anyone who reads this wouldn't mind, your prayers would be much appreciated, and seeing as it is all about God anyways, I would expect them. And, maybe, just maybe, in a year you will hear back from me asking for monetary support as well, but that will come later.