This Week In History

I was thinking about Jesus last night.  If I was him, I wouldn't have slept very well during this week of riots and madness.  I think that may be one of the many reasons I'm not Jesus.

A Kitty After My Own Heart

Life Lessons From The Laptop

Yesterday evening I was surfing the interwebs on my lappy. I went to look at the time and noticed the little battery icon was telling me that I had little charge left. 90% of the time when the battery drops to 15% charge it say "Hey, plug me in or I'll die!" This was one of the times within that 10% when it didn't. If I had not have looked over at the time, I would not have seen the icon and the lappy would have died right in the middle of the things I was doing.

Being one who is cursed/blessed to see every (expletive) thing as a life lesson or sermon analogy, this little idiosyncrasy of life didn't seem be any exception. Two lessons came to mind as I plugged my computer in...

The first is that we're a lot like the laptop; we can run for a good amount of time, doing all kinds of things, but if we don't plug in, we'll die. Coming from my Christian way of looking at things, I would extrapolate that into meaning that we need to plug into Christ (and really the whole rest of the Trinity). We can plug into Christ by a very wide variety of ways (just like the many outlets we find in our homes). We must plug in by prayer and through the Word. We also need to plug into Christian community.

The second thing I thought about was the warning pop-up that tells me I should plug the computer in. This actually took me in two directions. One, was that as community we need to sometimes be that warning pop-up that says plug in (via the ways above). Sometimes we don't want to be the annoying pop-up that urges action. But if we don't want people to die (spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, etc) then we have to do that urging to plug into what is good and what is needed to recharge and be able to continue functioning. The second was that we often want to ignore the little warning. I often push the limits of my computer's (and my personal) battery life, thinking that I can look at a few more things, or complete a few more tasks before I have to plug in. But often I end up so very close to the finish and then ending up with no battery life and a forced shut down.

I know that's a lot of thought on a laptop battery. But it was just what was going through my head. Feel free to pilfer these and use them for any uses you may have. Grin.

Chalk It Up

Here are some more pictures of the He Is Risen sidewalk chalk piece I did in Saturday's sunset.

Inspiration came from having mulled some things over in my head while out for a walk. I had thought about the (unbeeeaaaaarable) tension of the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection, but how we are all children of the resurrection, so what does that tension mean to us? To me it was reconciling the state of the sinful world we live in with the undeserving gift we receive in the resurrection of Christ at Easter. I had also found myself trying to place myself in the narratives of holy week and simply not being able to fully comprehend what that would have been like - to be around a crucifixion or to be killed so brutally for so many thankless people. So this piece for me, was an attempt to express some of my (unbeeeeaaarrrable) tension at the joy that is always there/here, the confusion and hurt that was there, and the pain and distortion that is here.

He Is Risen

Appropriate

Sometimes I find lent very ironic.

Further Proof That I Serve A Loving God

I'm heading to Hamilton tonight to attend a gala dinner (it's a gala day for me), and then I'm staying over night with one of the couples attending the event. In the morning I will go to the chiropractor (whom I miss so dearly).

I am happy to announce that by doing these little things, I should miss this:


Yup, that says 10cm of snow. At time of publishing Hamilton is not expected to get any precipitation during the same period. So I will go to Hamilton, let it snow, and then come back to London after the yuck is done. And all this planned weeeeeks in advance.

Thank you Jesus.

Are You Speaking My Language?

The subject of love languages came on my radar around 10 years ago, shortly after the time I became a Christian. I had not(and still haven't) read Gary Chapman's book(s), The Five Love Languages. Since the understanding of the concept of love languages came into my existence I have often used it a much more specific way than I have been told Chapman does. I guess I kind of create some sub categories. For instance, I would say that one of my Mother's love languages is food - she loves with the food she makes. I would say that one of mine is punching - I love with the punches I give to your face. That kind of thing.

It wasn't until church this morning that I actually got to hear what Chapman's 5 languages actually are (imagine my shock and awe when punching and food where not on the list!). They actually really resonated with me both as things that for the most part I think I successfully do, but also as things I very much crave in relationship. As a part of a sermon encouraging us to speak out our faith we were encouraged to listen, watch and learn what other people's love languages are (in A.Z. language - felt needs) and speak them (real deeds).

Chapman's languages are:

1. Words of affirmation - aka encouragement
2. Quality time - aka spending time with someone and making them the focus of that time
3. Gifts - the giving, the recieving, the treasuring
4. Acts of service - allieviating the burdens, meeting the needs
5. Physical touch - we need this to survive and grow

I was really encouraged to hear these 'cause well, I think they are something I do pretty well. Relationships are something that for the most part I do well (I will admit to having made abominations of some relationships). Obviously there is more I can be looking for, more language to learn and to speak.

So as you're going through your life - take some time to think about those who are surrounding you; coworkers; family; friends; neighbours; housemates; community and see if you can listen for those languages. If you can't hear them, pray and ask that you would. It can't hurt to have a little more love in the world.

Giving Up/Holding On

Last night was my last Church in the Box as a staff member. It also kind of marked my last responsibility with Redeemer. Though I have a couple of work things to do, this was my last 'big' thing to do. So in essence I'm just waiting for grad.

The second last song we sang last night was Give Us Clean Hands, which contained the line from which we mounted our annual theme - a generation seeking Your face. I've always loved singing that song at CITB because most of us are of the same generation. So I feel like it is literally a generation singing/crying out to God and asking Him to be a generation of children seeking after Him. I spoke with a couple of other people last night about this and they said they felt the same way. One friend said she found herself taking a moment to look around at the hundreds of other people in her age group with hands raised, voices pouring out from hearts, and asking for the same thing.

The prayer team sits spread throughout the auditorium for blanket prayer coverage, and this month I found myself near the middle of the top of the balcony. So while we were singing these lines "Oh God let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks your face oh God of Jacob" I had my hands fully outstretched - right out to the finger tips and below me was almost the entire congregation and I felt as a departing part of this generation God was pouring His energy and His blessings out through my hands to all the people below.

The last song of the night was a traditional song of benediction at Redeemer - My Friends May You Grow in Grace. The lyrics for that (as I can't find them online) are as follows:

My friends may you grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. My friends may you grow in grace and in the love of Jesus Christ.

To God be the glory, now and forever. Now and forever, amen. To God be the glory, now and forever. Now and forever, amen.

During this song the entire congregation took the hands of their neighbours and linked all of the rows of seating together. The way this usually happens (and last night was no different) was that we stand there holding hands during My friends may you grow in grace... and then for the To God be the glory... part everyone lifts their hands up. So during the last song of my last CITB (as a team member), my last time to worship as a registered member of this community, I got to sing my prayer for this community. I so desperately want them to grow in these things. I understandably got a little misty at this point. And then as we were singing To God be the glory... it was like the perfect concluding statement. Yes, to God be the glory for this ministry year with CITB. To God be the glory for a 6 year undergrad in 7 years. To God be the glory for healing after migraines, depression, allergies, abuse, pneumonia, broken relationships... To God be the glory for almost 27 years of life. And to God be the glory for however many years are left. To God be the glory.

Plaque Build Up (But Without The Gingivitis)

I'm not sure if I actually owned any plaques before, save for the one that you put your little 4-H bar thingers on. But by the end of this week I had two presented to me.

On Wednesday at closing convocation myself and this guy (Mark DeVos)...


...won the Student Life Award(s)


You may not be from the RUC community. And therefore you would have no idea what I'm talking about. The following is from the Redeemer daily newsletter - The Student Life Award is given annually to one female and one male student who exemplify the following: A Christian commitment expressed in all areas of university life; academic diligence (not necessarily resulting in high grades); involvement in extra-curricular activities such as choir, theatre, yearbook, the Minstrel, Student Senate and athletics; a concerned individual who cares about and influences campus culture; and a person who is respected by peers, faculty, and staff. Individual students, staff and faculty can make nominations for this award.

It was pretty dang cool to be the recipient of this award and to share the stage with Mark, 'cause he is one very awesome young man. We got a standing ovation. It was such a neat sensation to stand there on the stage and look around at the faces that you knew you had a connection with, be it staff, faculty or student. Needless to say, that was a big boost to my week and to my healing process.

You'll recall the last post talking about my last concert as a concert choir member happening on Friday. It went really well, and I know many prayers were sustaining me through that night. I especially know that because I could breath the best I have in weeks, on Friday night. I went to sing in church this morning and I felt like I was singing and jogging - it was that hard to get enough air. But the concert went really well, the solo-y thing went really well, and yeah, great music was sung in German, Latin and English.

After the concert, back in the choir room, I was presented with this -


It reads: Presented to Laura Stewart In recognition of her record number of years of involvement in, and dedication to the Redeemer University Concert Choir - 2008. I had no idea it was coming and I have to thank Kevin and John for making that happen and making me smile. Oh 6 years in concert choir. Obviously both plaques will be hung with my diploma (the one I'll be getting in 6 weeks).

Here's a shot at the Egg & I (had breakfast with Ma and Pa there on Saturday morn) with the booty -


I kinda just look at both plaques and think - wow, look at the work God has done. Look at the young punk who entered Redeemer and the concert choir 7 years ago and is leaving a young(ish) woman. Look at the journey He has lead me through. These plaques are an indicator that God is good, He is good indeed.

Milestones, Not Just A Restaurant Any More

Guess what this is?



Yup. Who'd a thunk that way back in January of aught four I'd be making this milestone. 1000 pieces of narcissism up here on the world wide interweb for all to see.

For every post be assured that there is one other post that was brilliantly thought up while I was in the car, out for a walk, pretending to listen in class, etc, etc, that were forgotten before I could find a computer. Just imagine if I had been able to write all of those down too! Wow.

I had wanted to make this a much bigger deal - 'cause there is a special announcement coming down the tubes (toobs) but I just haven't had enough time to refine some of it, and I want it to be really special for you guys. So I'm compromising this milestone for what may prove to be an even bigger one.

I'd like to thank the many faithful readers all over the world. I'd especially like to thank people who comment. Its the commenters who keep me going on the tough days. You know who you are. Thank you.

I feel like I should leave you with a nice picture...hmmm Ok...I looked around. This is my favourite cupcake in the world. Sarah Moerman made it for me. It has blue icing because she made me blue icing. She made me pretty cupcakes with blue icing because she loves me. So this picture is not just a delicious cupcake, but it is also love.

Craig

-----Original Message-----
From: Justin Cooper
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 3:05 PM
Subject: memorial service for craig vanderveen

We are now able to announce that a memorial service for Craig Vanderveen will be held on Friday, July 27, at 8:00 pm in Redeemer's auditorium. It will be led by our Chaplain, Syd Hielema. Craig's parents, Al and Anita Vanderveen, will also be present. This will give an opportunity to students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to remember Craig, give thanks to God for his life and grieve his loss. (We will also take some time to acknowledge Craig's passing in a chapel in September for the sake of all of our students.) Please continue to uphold Craig's family in prayer, and also pray that all who are part of this service will experience the Lord's grace and be strengthened in their faith.

President Cooper

Please Meet My New Friend Greg. I Love Her.

This is Greg.


Greg is a girl. And what a girl! She was born on Saturday morning - yup - 07/07/07. Turns out her real name is Madeleine Emma Legg. She was 7lbs 10oz.

Greg is the product of a soprano and a tenor. This means that she will need all the husky alto loving she can get from her sagely Tante Stew.


Greg is still pretty fresh to the world. So we should probably pray for her and for her excited new parents.


I didn't want to bring this up, but well, Greg has pretty big feet for a wee lass. I'm sure she'll grow into them and become the best clogger, speed skater or water skier money can buy!


Greg is pretty neat and I think we all agree that she can stick around. I'd say she's in pretty good hands.


So yeah: 2-4-6-8-Go Greg!

Craig

prayer.

Images of God

The Assignment

Grace - the evidence of God's hands in my life, enabling my hands to touch the lives of others.