My sister schools/works @ twu, and she's studying a book by Don Miller with her boss/co-workers right now.
This is something Don Miller said, and julie of the edge posted it on her blog. It is over.... that way.
Here is the quotation:
"When we talk about relationships with people, we use phrases like "invest in people," "this person is priceless," or "this relationship is bankrupt." By using economic metaphor we've begun to think of love like money. There is this sense that we can't love homosexuals because that's endorsing them. So, we spout little cliches like "hate the sin, but love the sinner" but we don't actually do that. We sort of isolate ourselves from the world because we fear them, we don't understand them. I think the root of that problem is the fact that we treat love like money. We exist in this social economy where we use affection as dollars."
"...One of those issues is homosexuality. Conservatives will say, you shouldn't embrace these people or accept them in our community or let them be in leadership positions because it's a sin, and they're all pissed off. Certainly it's a sin; it's something that God probably wants to deal with people about. But homosexuality is not a sin any more than, say, gluttony is a sin. And that means we love them, we keep them in our community. If they repent about it and want to try to change, that's great. If they don't I'm not going to kick them out of our community. When science says people are born homosexuals, I would say absolutely people are born homosexuals. Satan is an unfair guy, he rules this world."
-donmillerinterview
It's opening up my world...
16.9.04
13.9.04
paradox?
it's like this...I'm SOO tired, and I just have a little bit of work left to do, but I'm too tired to do it. So I just keep staying awake, being more tired, and getting no work done, until I get my second wind, do the work, and then can't fall asleep. Aiiya, I tell you. AIiya.
12.9.04
what is it with messy hair and fame!?
My brother spent the summer at camp, and *wobbly voice* damn, he's fine!
His hair is longish, and it's this gorgeous sun-bronzed mix of brown, red, and blonde.
My hair usually looks that way too, but the lighting @ the ice house just hasn't yet duplicated the effect of the sun. Nope. Not at all. Hence, I'm pasty, and without my usual array of exciting natural (but actually natural) highlights.
My olde deckhand director walked by the store tonight, so we chatted it up for about 10 minutes. Her name's Lindsay (maybe Lindsey), and she's HILARIOUS. Or rather, together, we make much laughter and joking.
I haven't had a good laugh in sooo long. It was great.
"I could buy you a drink, I could tell you all about it, I could tell you why I doubt it, and why I still believe it..."
--pedro
Ben wants the computer. And so I go. Gotta line up early early *ugh* early tomorrow morning. Why!? So I can get a locker.
Yes yes. Higher education = line-ups. But intelligent ones.
onelove.
His hair is longish, and it's this gorgeous sun-bronzed mix of brown, red, and blonde.
My hair usually looks that way too, but the lighting @ the ice house just hasn't yet duplicated the effect of the sun. Nope. Not at all. Hence, I'm pasty, and without my usual array of exciting natural (but actually natural) highlights.
My olde deckhand director walked by the store tonight, so we chatted it up for about 10 minutes. Her name's Lindsay (maybe Lindsey), and she's HILARIOUS. Or rather, together, we make much laughter and joking.
I haven't had a good laugh in sooo long. It was great.
"I could buy you a drink, I could tell you all about it, I could tell you why I doubt it, and why I still believe it..."
--pedro
Ben wants the computer. And so I go. Gotta line up early early *ugh* early tomorrow morning. Why!? So I can get a locker.
Yes yes. Higher education = line-ups. But intelligent ones.
onelove.
11.9.04
"o"
I purchased Damien Rice's "o" tonight. He's listed as "Rich, Damien O" @ Future Shop, so I thought, "OH NO!!! THEY WON'T HAVE IT!!!", because it would have been ordered under the wrong name. But then I turned around, and *bing* there it was!!!! ON the wrong shelf, but there just the sam.e
Now it is HERE, and I have been listening to it.
Mmmm...
I was lying in bed, listening to damien, and reading Beowulf (thinking about soon brushing my teet to aid in sleeping), when I heard a KNOCKING, possibly at the window. Also possibly from my brother's room...he's crazy...witht the knocking...
it FREAKED me out!! Roger thought maybe it was Grendel (Beowulf's monster)...that didn't help.
Fear not! That's what I gotta say to myself when I go to bed.
Fear not, Melinda, the Lord is with you, He does and will protect you. Amen.
HEh...well, off to toothpaste and electric bristles.
one...song.
Now it is HERE, and I have been listening to it.
Mmmm...
I was lying in bed, listening to damien, and reading Beowulf (thinking about soon brushing my teet to aid in sleeping), when I heard a KNOCKING, possibly at the window. Also possibly from my brother's room...he's crazy...witht the knocking...
it FREAKED me out!! Roger thought maybe it was Grendel (Beowulf's monster)...that didn't help.
Fear not! That's what I gotta say to myself when I go to bed.
Fear not, Melinda, the Lord is with you, He does and will protect you. Amen.
HEh...well, off to toothpaste and electric bristles.
one...song.
8.9.04
oooooooh hungry
I AM SO HUNGRY!!!
BUt it's 10.09PM. I'm just going to go to bed, and eat an omlette in the morning.
OH MAAAN...maybe it's just a thirsty thing. I'll drink a litre of water or something.
So HUNGRY!!!
ANother thing: I'm exhausted! I don't think I'll be able to pull off anything later than 10pm this year. Seriously....I'm craving the sleep time.
BUt it's 10.09PM. I'm just going to go to bed, and eat an omlette in the morning.
OH MAAAN...maybe it's just a thirsty thing. I'll drink a litre of water or something.
So HUNGRY!!!
ANother thing: I'm exhausted! I don't think I'll be able to pull off anything later than 10pm this year. Seriously....I'm craving the sleep time.
7.9.04
bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils
The first day of school is over!!!
What a day it has been. Early to rise....late for piano...but it's like I never even left.
I've got homework and practicing to do, so I should get home and do it all before I fall asleep. This whole "working on the weekends" thing leaves much less time for procrastinating.
I hope you are all well.
I thought of something rather inspiring today. My theory teacher is SO different from the one I had last year. She's a small woman, long, dark hair, and very explosive and full of energy. Last year was a tall, blonde man, very reserved, very calculated. Both geniuses, but expresed in different ways.
Her class and way of teaching can to do things...FReAK me out, or challenge me to see the world, and to hear and write music, in a new way.
Exciting.
Truth be told...i really like school.
and Damien Rice. I must go CD shopping soon.
onelove.
What a day it has been. Early to rise....late for piano...but it's like I never even left.
I've got homework and practicing to do, so I should get home and do it all before I fall asleep. This whole "working on the weekends" thing leaves much less time for procrastinating.
I hope you are all well.
I thought of something rather inspiring today. My theory teacher is SO different from the one I had last year. She's a small woman, long, dark hair, and very explosive and full of energy. Last year was a tall, blonde man, very reserved, very calculated. Both geniuses, but expresed in different ways.
Her class and way of teaching can to do things...FReAK me out, or challenge me to see the world, and to hear and write music, in a new way.
Exciting.
Truth be told...i really like school.
and Damien Rice. I must go CD shopping soon.
onelove.
new beginning
As we head into another season of school and such,
My friend Brian had some solid words and pictures for me tonight. God spoke richly. I'm praying to receive what He said, and for peace. Go in the confidence that God is with you, He is your strength, and your peace.
onelove.
Let us come before the Lord and proclaim our thanks.
My friend Brian had some solid words and pictures for me tonight. God spoke richly. I'm praying to receive what He said, and for peace. Go in the confidence that God is with you, He is your strength, and your peace.
onelove.
4.9.04
awesome. in that God has done it.
Let us listen for the Lord’s voice, so that we can reach his place of rest.
Interesting to think about that...what would it be about hearing God's voice that would bring us to a place of rest?
Tonight was party party @ harwood's house...hooray for jo and katy being 20. I had a drop of red wine, and Ash shook my hand.
Mikael is well also, not just "not unwell"...
I was reminded tonight of what an excellent thing good friends are. Warm and fuzzy, slightly buzzed and dancing...they bring me so much joy. Like post-miracle water.
onelove. (props to aaron for that)
3.9.04
GAHHHHHHHH!!!!
Today has been an important day.
I spent time with Pat, which was excellent and enlightening. I listened to Chuck Swindoll talk about grace. I thought about this:
To let go is to fear less, and love more.
How appropriate, as it turns out. You see, my best mate, Mikael, she calls me. She has big news. But somebody else might want to wait for her to tell me. She wants to see my face. Dun dun daaa...I'm freaking out, guessing at it in my head, but not knowing...ahh!! It's all too much. Then...she tells me!
See, there's this guy...he's pretty great...she's thinking of keeping him around for a while....
YEAH! She has a boyfriend! And is a girlfriend! So sweet on SOOO many levels.
And so weird.
I'll tell you his name later, after you know. Heh.
It's strangely timed though, because earlier today, Pat and I talked a lot about relationships, and what if God's plan for us is to be single 'til we're 40, or 'til we die...scary for a 22/23 year old girl to think of, but also exciting. What a challenging life of intimacy with God that would be. Just thinking about it gives me chills. WOw. Also a lonely thought, but not so much. I've got a lot of love in my life, but when I feel absolutely complete is when I worship, or pray, or just know that I am uninhibitedly in my Father's presence. Mmhmmm.
We'll see. What I can do now, is let go of my own hopes, dreams, wants, needs...outside of Christ, and what he can provide, what do I need?
Not sex, no! Not a one night stand, just a walk by the water when I'm holding your hand...(5 points for the reference)
That's the kind of Thursday it's been. Now, 4 straight days of work, leading into 4 straight months of school. See you @ the Christmas parties.
Carry each other,
melinda.of.love
I spent time with Pat, which was excellent and enlightening. I listened to Chuck Swindoll talk about grace. I thought about this:
To let go is to fear less, and love more.
How appropriate, as it turns out. You see, my best mate, Mikael, she calls me. She has big news. But somebody else might want to wait for her to tell me. She wants to see my face. Dun dun daaa...I'm freaking out, guessing at it in my head, but not knowing...ahh!! It's all too much. Then...she tells me!
See, there's this guy...he's pretty great...she's thinking of keeping him around for a while....
YEAH! She has a boyfriend! And is a girlfriend! So sweet on SOOO many levels.
And so weird.
I'll tell you his name later, after you know. Heh.
It's strangely timed though, because earlier today, Pat and I talked a lot about relationships, and what if God's plan for us is to be single 'til we're 40, or 'til we die...scary for a 22/23 year old girl to think of, but also exciting. What a challenging life of intimacy with God that would be. Just thinking about it gives me chills. WOw. Also a lonely thought, but not so much. I've got a lot of love in my life, but when I feel absolutely complete is when I worship, or pray, or just know that I am uninhibitedly in my Father's presence. Mmhmmm.
We'll see. What I can do now, is let go of my own hopes, dreams, wants, needs...outside of Christ, and what he can provide, what do I need?
Not sex, no! Not a one night stand, just a walk by the water when I'm holding your hand...(5 points for the reference)
That's the kind of Thursday it's been. Now, 4 straight days of work, leading into 4 straight months of school. See you @ the Christmas parties.
Carry each other,
melinda.of.love
2.9.04
Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again, I say, Rejoice.
Interesting conversation with the manager @ work today. Ended with her being like, "I can't handle this conversation right now, I have to go!"
We were talking about religion, and whether or not truth and salvation can be relative. ie, Jesus is the right decision for me, but buddha is the right decision for someone else.
So, she ends it by walking out the door going, "If someone decides not to believe in Jesus, then they've made the right decision for their life."
Now...there's not much I can do to reply to that. Especially when the speaker is gone. But, I did continue to think about it, and came to the conclusion that relative truth is such a huge crock. It's not hard to find a situation where it all falls apart. Slavery. Rape. Murder. War, with all its complexities. Theft. Even religions which require the submission of women, by force when necessary, are enough to raise the fists of any laid back believer in relativity. How about child molestation? Destroying the life of a child is okay, because the perpetrator feels like it was the right thing to do?
I know those things are different from religious beliefs, but just hold on. It's all very trendy to be into yoga and new-age stuff over here, but have you ever seen a country, a people, or just a person who is completely under the opression of evil? All of a sudden, the worship of which/whatever god/goddess strikes your fancy just isn't cool anymore.
Argh.
So much discussion pent up in my chest right now. And it bothers me when discussions turn to challenges, which I suppose isn't all that different from what I've just written. "Well, what about this!? Huh!? Don't you think this? and this? and this?..."
It's also in the attitude though.
Hmm.
I guess the other thing is this: don't assume that just because I'm a christian that I suddenly have all the answers. Truth be told...I don't.
onelove.
Interesting conversation with the manager @ work today. Ended with her being like, "I can't handle this conversation right now, I have to go!"
We were talking about religion, and whether or not truth and salvation can be relative. ie, Jesus is the right decision for me, but buddha is the right decision for someone else.
So, she ends it by walking out the door going, "If someone decides not to believe in Jesus, then they've made the right decision for their life."
Now...there's not much I can do to reply to that. Especially when the speaker is gone. But, I did continue to think about it, and came to the conclusion that relative truth is such a huge crock. It's not hard to find a situation where it all falls apart. Slavery. Rape. Murder. War, with all its complexities. Theft. Even religions which require the submission of women, by force when necessary, are enough to raise the fists of any laid back believer in relativity. How about child molestation? Destroying the life of a child is okay, because the perpetrator feels like it was the right thing to do?
I know those things are different from religious beliefs, but just hold on. It's all very trendy to be into yoga and new-age stuff over here, but have you ever seen a country, a people, or just a person who is completely under the opression of evil? All of a sudden, the worship of which/whatever god/goddess strikes your fancy just isn't cool anymore.
Argh.
So much discussion pent up in my chest right now. And it bothers me when discussions turn to challenges, which I suppose isn't all that different from what I've just written. "Well, what about this!? Huh!? Don't you think this? and this? and this?..."
It's also in the attitude though.
Hmm.
I guess the other thing is this: don't assume that just because I'm a christian that I suddenly have all the answers. Truth be told...I don't.
onelove.
30.8.04
not sure if this can suffice.
I just watched "the Pianist" with Pernille.
It's got me thinking about a lot of things, so I won't write for long. It's about a pianist, a jew, who survived the war in Poland, and was able to work again as a musician after the war.
I guess I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now, by the devastation of that war. The horrors, which I've only seen depicted in films, the things people saw and did and experienced.
My mum has a good friend whose father was forced to join the Hitler youth, although he remained a christian, just not openly. He still has nightmares about the war, and is 70 years old.
I just can't imagine.
Good night. God bless you.
It's got me thinking about a lot of things, so I won't write for long. It's about a pianist, a jew, who survived the war in Poland, and was able to work again as a musician after the war.
I guess I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now, by the devastation of that war. The horrors, which I've only seen depicted in films, the things people saw and did and experienced.
My mum has a good friend whose father was forced to join the Hitler youth, although he remained a christian, just not openly. He still has nightmares about the war, and is 70 years old.
I just can't imagine.
Good night. God bless you.
29.8.04
slicing tomatoes. (that's the title, but my titles don't get displayed).
"happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without spilling a few drops on yourself."
--the return of the good, clean jokes, Bob Phillips.
what is a word in the english dictionary, which contains 3 consecutive pairs of letters?
clue # 1: it is a compound word, made up of 10 letters.
clue # 2: two of the pairs are vowels.
clue # 3: the word is an occupation.
more to come.
"happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without spilling a few drops on yourself."
--the return of the good, clean jokes, Bob Phillips.
what is a word in the english dictionary, which contains 3 consecutive pairs of letters?
clue # 1: it is a compound word, made up of 10 letters.
clue # 2: two of the pairs are vowels.
clue # 3: the word is an occupation.
more to come.
saturday night, dancing, like the way you move.
Remember that song "Saturday Night"?
I don't recall who sang it...some blonde girl. It was cool when I was in about grade 7, and I know that most of her songs sounded the same.
Saturday night, dancing, like the way you move.
Pretty baby.
It's party time, and not one minute we can lose.
*something* baby..
saturday...saturday.
I went to Worship Invasion tonight, with my danish delight, Pernille. I also saw ANNA!!!!! and, briefly, her husband dave. Hmm...some awesome ladies prayed for me, and I reconnected with some new friends...
Excellent things are happening, my friends. Do all that you can to get in the path of the storm that is the power of God. Get picked up in it. Enjoy the time inside of the storm, and then be able to come back down, and work the fallowed ground.
one love.
I don't recall who sang it...some blonde girl. It was cool when I was in about grade 7, and I know that most of her songs sounded the same.
Saturday night, dancing, like the way you move.
Pretty baby.
It's party time, and not one minute we can lose.
*something* baby..
saturday...saturday.
I went to Worship Invasion tonight, with my danish delight, Pernille. I also saw ANNA!!!!! and, briefly, her husband dave. Hmm...some awesome ladies prayed for me, and I reconnected with some new friends...
Excellent things are happening, my friends. Do all that you can to get in the path of the storm that is the power of God. Get picked up in it. Enjoy the time inside of the storm, and then be able to come back down, and work the fallowed ground.
one love.
25.8.04
strength to get me through the night. and following days.
O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.
24.8.04
22.8.04
i won't lie. it's devastating.
at least for the moment, my heart is broken.
Pernille--dts housemate, adopted sister, visiting from Denmark--was to stay with me this coming weekend. Tonight, I went out to where she's staying to visit with her. I found out that another friend, whose absence from the city brought me the honour of Pernille as my guest, has planned to take Pernille away with her.
I am so close to tears, I can't even explain it.
I was so afraid that this would happen. The disappointment and rejection of it is almost too much to take.
goodnight.
Pernille--dts housemate, adopted sister, visiting from Denmark--was to stay with me this coming weekend. Tonight, I went out to where she's staying to visit with her. I found out that another friend, whose absence from the city brought me the honour of Pernille as my guest, has planned to take Pernille away with her.
I am so close to tears, I can't even explain it.
I was so afraid that this would happen. The disappointment and rejection of it is almost too much to take.
goodnight.
20.8.04
19.8.04
contests
I noticed, while eating my second breakfast this morning, that cereal box contests usually stipulate "NO PURCHASE NECESSARY". You can send in for the rules, or just read them off the box while perusing the supermarket aisles. I think that is the case for most food contests. You can enter without purchasing the product. (In this morning's situation, it was a chance to design the "Life" cereal box. Yumm.)
I thought this over while masticating my early morning meal, and soon realized that there is one food contest promoter who always stipulates the necessity of purchase: BEER! You can't enter beer-brand/company sponsored contests without purchasing.
Lame.
(But wise. Their prizes are usually pretty cool, so it makes sense to draw in the bling while holding a contest).
I thought this over while masticating my early morning meal, and soon realized that there is one food contest promoter who always stipulates the necessity of purchase: BEER! You can't enter beer-brand/company sponsored contests without purchasing.
Lame.
(But wise. Their prizes are usually pretty cool, so it makes sense to draw in the bling while holding a contest).
contests
I noticed, while eating my second breakfast this morning, that cereal box contests usually stipulate "NO PURCHASE NECESSARY". You can send in for the rules, or just read them off the box while perusing the supermarket aisles. I think that is the case for most food contests. You can enter without purchasing the product. (In this morning's situation, it was a chance to design the "Life" cereal box. Yumm.)
I thought this over while masticating my early morning meal, and soon realized that there is one food contest promoter who always stipulates the necessity of purchase: BEER! You can't enter beer-brand/company sponsored contests without purchasing.
Lame.
(But wise. Their prizes are usually pretty cool, so it makes sense to draw in the bling while holding a contest).
I thought this over while masticating my early morning meal, and soon realized that there is one food contest promoter who always stipulates the necessity of purchase: BEER! You can't enter beer-brand/company sponsored contests without purchasing.
Lame.
(But wise. Their prizes are usually pretty cool, so it makes sense to draw in the bling while holding a contest).
