Through Christ

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me but there are times that God does not need my help and does a better job alone. When I gave him my broken dreams and hopes and tried to helped, my fingers were simply in the way. He needed complete control to make it right. There are times when he needs to help me and there are times when he needs to fix me alone.

What Kind of Love...

What is love? The dictionary defines love as: a strong positive emotion of regard and affection, being enamored, having a great affection or devotion. When you look at the definitions given in the bible, they somewhat differ, and not only that but there are also different kinds of "love". The most common one that everyone has and is not very hard to feel is, phileo. Phileo is the love based on "familiarity and direct interaction". When you know someone it is not hard to love them. You love them for who they are, and then there are those that "do not deserve" to be loved or there is no connection on which to love them. This is where God asks us to dig deep and show the agape love that is only possible through Christ. Agape is described as, non partial, self sacrificing, regardless of our circumstances. Can we still follow God's commandment love thy neighbor as yourself if we have a different kind of love for each person? What did God mean when he said love thy neighbor as thyself? When I asked what it means to love thy neighbor as thy self, I think we have to first examine how we love ourselves. People generally love themselves regardless of the stupid things that they do. There are some who have such a hard time with this concept of self love and I believe that this is where they make the decision to end there lives. If you cannot love yourself for you are, you cannot love another. Not even through Christ, simply because Christ is love, and them that are in Christ have the love of Christ in them, by this shall all men know that you are his. If you love yourself, you will respect the body you live in. By loving yourself you can then love others, through Christ with agape. What kind of love? The love of Christ that cause us to love, as an action not a noun, agape, self sacrificing and non partial.

Apples of Gold

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. May my words and my thoughts be edifying, for your thoughts become words and your words actions. Your actions speak louder then your words so you are confirming your thoughts. Whether they be good or bad is all up to you. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". Philippians 4:8. Think on these things!

The Funkiest Art

I saw this cool website with some very abstract but collected art in the sense that her thoughts in designing are very collected but it has an air of abstract and randomness.. It is tedious but freeing. I think this stuff is pretty cool and I usually do not care for abstract. I have been told this is because I am a earth person, grounded and structured... Anyway enjoy!



Here is a sample:





http://www.jenstark.com/

Pursue...

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those. - Michael Nolan

Pursue that which matters, pursue those you care for, pursue the dreams you have, and most of all pursue the love that God brings. For in your pursuing you find out who are, what matters and where you want to be. Working for it, whatever that may be, causes you to appreciate more what you have obtained.

A Personal Cry

How do we become the people that God's needs to be without losing who we are as person? What I mean is how do we balance the being human, living, loving, and still be ever doing God's work. Hopefully that makes sense what I am trying to say. How do we make the changes necessary to live a full and complete life with God? How do we make a difference in this ever changing world where we are just another sale being pushed? How do we show the love and care that we so often talk about? All these questions I think of often, and it was once gain brought to my attention. How can we say that we love, but have yet to learn the lesson that " love is a verb, an action, something that we do" (thanks Dave). Love is shaking that person's hand, giving them a hug or genuinely caring about them as a person not another seat filled. They have dreams, desires and feelings. How do we change those feeling of familiarity with our surroundings and where we are in life. Can we really say that we are content when we we have the overpowering feeling that there is more out there. I know that we are whole in Christ, but why is there still this pressing feeling that we can and are better then where we currently rest. Why am I not content? Is it cause I know that that there is more but I am too lazy or scared to get and move? I am afraid of the changes and what they will bring? Can our small mind not comprehend the possibilities? Are as loving as we think we are? Are we as open and vulnerable as we should be? I know that these are alot questions, and I as I said I think of these alot. I feel in a constant state of unrest, almost burden like, but unsure of what for. I fell restless and unsettled, but to what end? God help!

God Bless


My apologies, this particular article is not the most well written and easy to understand but it really comes from heart. Things that are hard to say and convey, often mean the most, in the sense that you are a little overwhelmed and find it hard to think beyond the current thoughts. I have not really proofread this, but simply put words to screen. Please pray for me/with me. I guess that you could consider this article a bit of a personal cry.

Blog Site Features

Just to let everyone know that the love quote at the top of the page above my profile, changes daily and automatically, there is something to read everyday. So enjoy!

PS. My apologies for the poor grammar above... LOL!

I' m back!

Hope that you all did not miss me too much. The wedding was great and gorgeous, but still simple (lots of work-as per Kara). I have included a couple photos. Pray for me cause my sister said I could post photos but she had to approve them first, and these have not been approved. Oh well, I am not waiting till she gets back from her honeymoon. So here you go...



The happy
groom.



Walking
down the
"Aisle".



Who giveth
this woman
away?



Presenting
the newest
couple



Mr and Mrs Melwood

Small Break...

Just to let everyone know that I will be taking a small repreive from faithfully blogging due to the loss of time. My sincere apologies and I wil start again June 12th. I know that you will all be dying for me to come back, NOT! See you all soon, same time same place.... and hopefully I will have a small suprise for you all. Haha, now you will all be waiting will baited breath I hope.

Quickly Approaching

Wedding plans have been on my mind a lot lately with Alana's wedding date quickly approaching and so much to do. But then as I sit to write this I am reminded of a much more important wedding day that is also quickly coming. As I hope you all know, I am referring to the coming of the Lord. The day when we shall be caught up to meet him in the sky. The bridegroom cometh! This has been on my mind recently for some reason, the bible says no man knoweth when the son of man cometh, but I do know this, it is soon. It seems the thought keeps coming to me, make haste, make right the way, reach for those, seek. I must remember to keep myself ever ready. Remembering and praying to always love, forgive, seek repentance, keeping your oil full. I know that this was a slight digression from my original beginning and some what heavy, so my sincere apologies.

Always looking towards the heavens, seeking the wonder and splendor of a God, oh so great and mighty, for the vastness of the space can never hold all his grandeur and omnipotence.

As Promised...

Well as I promised I would, and by Monday, here some pics from Sinai Camp, I also have some videos to post but need to learn how. (Not quite figured out the techie thing...LOL)

Shad helping

make breakfast?

There were

miracles at camp

that weekend...

And we would be...

here...? Or wait...

here?

Football

fun before

dinner

Birthday
BBQ and
burgers

Our birthday

boy, Marky.

23 yrs.

After dinner

humor,

only they

know

Adorableness

Dishes Washed?
I got it covered..
in slobber
that is...
just helping
where I can...













McDog to go?
Large or Small?
Collar with that?













Well at least it is
cool in there
and no one
can find you...













Time out for you...
five minutes,
and sit properly
in your chair...

A little WOW!

Space is a backdrop for our amusement, perhaps an illusion, the great vastness and perhaps the pleasure of God's omnipotence and omnipower of the unfathomable. Seeking man to know truth, the circle of being, through Christ - Alicia Archibald

Nothing to Say

Well, for once you can all rejoice, I have nothing to say. And, yes you may crack all the jokes you would like right now, I can't hear you anyway. Seriously though, I have no great words of wisdom, no moving thoughts, or great revelations, just this....

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth (Psalms 46:10)

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. (Psalms 107:30)

P.S. My apologies to my readers I promise to get some inspiration very soon. I am actually working on an article right now... Oh, and I owe you all photos from Sinai Camp.

Mount Sinai

Well, aaaahhhhh...... So very good. To all those who did not make it, I pity you. Okay pity is maybe not the best word, so lets just say that you seriously missed out! I am not quite sure where to begin. Let's start with the non spiritual aspect and work are way to the best part, God. I enjoyed the delicious cooking of the Melwoods (YUM!) I stayed in the Deman's heated trailer (AH!) and the cookhouse made a great place where two or three could gather in his name (Prayer). The weather was gorgeous but the mosquitos were out in hords, I do not think that I have seen the mosquitos so bad in 22 years of life. Basically, my legs lok like I have chicken pox. I counted last night and I have 53 bites on the lower half of my legs. Needless to say I look like a bit of a spectacle. My thoughts are with you Loro (she understands)! Food was good, fun was good, relaxation was good, and the prayer was great! There was the most amazing breakfast prepared by some of guys (we were SHOCKED!) on Sunday morning. I will post pictures as soon as I can as well as more stories.

PS. Just trying to keep you coming back!

Food for thought

There are so many words and tidbits that you can take away with you everyday and use it for own encouragement or pass it on. So here you are, I am passing on some that I thought very cool. My favorite is the last one, but you have to start from the top!


“Seasons change, friends move away, and life goes on from day to day. Flowers fade and streams go dry and many times we wonder why. Yet we can always be assured because God tells us in His Word, that unlike changes in the weather, love goes on and lasts” - Unknown

"The friendship that can cease has never been real" - St Jerome

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in" - Morrie Schwartz

“Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.” - Unknown


PS. I think everyone should receive a quote of the day.

Life Lessons

" The difference between school and life? In school you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson."

- Tom Podett

"Creation Rules over Evolution"

While reading the paper this morning there was a small article on the front page talking of a new musuem that will be opening. I really would like to go if anyone wants to tag along. Here is the article, I have copied and pasted this from the Calgary Herald web.

Creation rules over Evolution

By Paula Beauchamp,

Calgary HeraldPublished: Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Canada's first permanent creation museum --set to open in Alberta next month -- will use fossil displays to support the Bible's explanation of creation.
The controversial Big Valley Creation Science Museum, located east of Innisfail, is billed as an alternative to the world view presented by the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller and will open on June 5.
Owner Harry Nibourg said in a press release that the museum provides compelling evidence for creation and refutes any unguided, "natural" processes such as evolution. He said the museum's "fossils and the flood" display, which teams a giant model of Noah's ark with museum-quality fossils, is evidence the biblical flood actually happened.
According to the museum's website, another display called "dinosaurs and humans" disproves evolutionary theory that dinosaurs became extinct at least 60 million years before humans evolved.
As expected, the museum has its detractors.
University of Calgary biology professor Anthony Russell said an honest museum of creation would merely say this is our evidence and this is what we believe it shows.
"I can't say it is a bad thing," he said.
"But it is not saying, 'Come in and make up your own mind.'
"It is a propaganda approach and I don't know society really needs that sort of thing."
U of C's Dr. Marvin Fritzler, a professor of medicine and chair of the Alberta Science Research Authority said if the museum "refutes evolution lock, stock and barrel, I'd say it was a little head in the sand."
But he said there was no harm in people exposing themselves to opinions and beliefs as long as they keep an open mind.
Inspired by the Bible, the museum's displays include a bacterial flagellum and DNA stand, a terrible lizards display that references Job 40 & 41 and an "age of the Earth" display.
Creationists typically believe the Bible is the literal truth and that God created the world in six days, less than 10,000 years ago.

Welcome to Life!`

Today is Monday May 21st, and I am welcoming all people to life. Sounds crazy I know cause some of you are thinking, "Hey, I live life trust me, the tire went flat, so and so said this about me, the kids are sick, and seriously, it is wearing me down." I know what you mean, tomorrow is another day at work and another week and another meal to cook. But really truly and honestly is that life? I would say no. There is so much more then the dishes, although they are part. But if you were on your death bed would say your life was full because you did dishes 24 times a day? Encountre, life is life by the friends, family and experiences that you had. When you say someone has a full life you never ask how many time that their children were sick or how many times they had a flat tire. That is a ridiculous thought in our minds. So I ask, why do we blame all the "bad things" on "life". Life is here and now, the good the bad, the sick kids and the crying laugh over a great joke. So I say from heart to heart, welcome to life!

What a wonderful life...

Well, it I had to write today to say that it is a wonderful life. The temperature is supposed to be 22 degrees, and sunny. I promised that I would never do this (use it as a personal newspaper) but here is a quick update on some of the things in my life that I am happy about.

1. Alana will be getting married June 9th - It will be a small, immediate family only ceremony

2. I will get my old room back - I love you Alana and it is all about the marriage - LOL)

3. I have GREAT guy friends & future brother in-law who worked endlessly on my car - A huge thanks to you guys.

4. I have great friends, period.

5. I have a little nephew who is adorable - sorry you have to share him with me Grell

6. I have a awesome friend who encourages me to write - I am trying!

7. God is AWESOME!

8. It works it all works out for the good.