Monday, March 28, 2011

If I ever got married...


I wouldn't wear heels 'cause they are a cruel invention.

I would request Disney songs at my reception 'cause they are awesome and I love dancing to Disney...

I would want to invite all my friends... if only that were possible...

I would want to have it on a beach in the sand, in the winter and the snow, in the spring in a garden--somewhere that takes my breath away.

I would want a pie instead of a cake...

I would want to smile nonstop and not worry if things "go wrong."

I would be marrying someone I loved and would love forever.

If I ever got married, it would be because it's God's will for my life and that in itself would be amazing.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

who do you worship for?

This may seem like a stupid question and I've honestly never asked it before, but earlier this week it was posed to me in the book The purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

This definitely got me thinking. When I do go up and sing worship songs, just who am I singing for? When all is said and done, have I given my all for my King, for my Saviour? Or, have I somehow made it all about me?

Think about it, when the "worship" part of a service is over, what are the types of things we say? "Wow, I really got a lot out of that, it was a good worship!" or "I didn't really feel anything today... wasn't the best worship."

I've said these things before. I've focused on only me and thought of what I would get our of worship. Can you see the flaw in this? Can you see where I misunderstood? Worship is NOT for ME. Worship is for God and no matter what I "feel" about it, it should not change how I worship. Even when I feel like I'm getting nothing out of worship, I should still worship my heart out because it's for Him!

So, who are you worshipping for?  When all is said and done--when the music fades, who/what matters most?  Your "feelings," or the God on High?

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

What counts as Worship?

"Only slow songs are worship."

I've heard that before. Have you? One year at camp, the ministry head made us kids sing a bunch of slow songs. When I approached her later to ask her why we didn't sing a few other songs (which I had learned at camp during worship in previous years), she said they were praise songs and she wanted to focus more on worship songs. I didn't think much of it then--I was only 11 or 12 or something, but now I understand that her view of worship wasn't fully there.

Worship is not defined by the tempo of music. It is not defined by an action you perform nor a "ritual" you go through. Worship is more than that.

[Google Image]
"Worship is a lifestyle." ~ Rick Warren

This is a lesson that I've loved learning and because of that, I'm so happy to share it with all of you.

I've met people who've said that in order to worship you need to listen to the slow songs, raise your hands and close your eyes and feel God's presence wash down on you. I must admit, I've been there before and thought similar type things. Just think to yourself, how many of you refer to the singing before a church service as worship? How many of you look forward to the "worship" portion of a church event?

That in itself isn't terrible, but to think that only singing is worship or only long prayers are worshipful is wrong.  Even before there was music, Adam and Eve worshiped God. 

"Every part of a church service is an act of worship: praying, Scripture reading, singing, confession, silence, being still, listening to a sermon, taking notes, giving an offering, baptism, communion, signing a commitment card, and even greeting other worshipers." ~ Rick Warren

In everything you do, it is possible to worship God. Painting, writing, creating... Reading, working, resting. Guess what? It can all be worship.  I know such a great God, how can I not worship Him?  I want to worship Him in all that I do.  I want to dance in His presence with every fiber of my being, even when I'm sitting and doing homework--I will still be worshiping Him in my heart and in my Spirit.

Simply because, worship is my lifestyle.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

I'm craving...

a book.

It's been forever since I've been able to read for fun. All of the books I've read in the past month or so have been about Child Soldiers and that can be kind of depressing... Just a bit...

What I truly crave is an adventure! I book that takes me into a fantastical land filled with magic and wonder! Something that gets me so wrapped up in everything that I forget about reality. I haven't read one of those in a while and I really miss them!

I love all the books on my shelf at home, but I want something new! I'm in the mood for the unknown with everything known around me... gak!

Monday, March 14, 2011

If...

If I could fly, I would fly all over the world.
but, flying solo would get lonely.

If I could breathe underwater, I would find Atlantis.
but, finding Atlantis is no fun by yourself.

If I were a star, I'd burn forever--somehow.
but, stars live a long time and my friends would all be gone.

If I were a book, I'd always be read.
but, if I'm always being read, how can I read?  How can I reach out to others?

If I were a movie, I'd be everyone's favourite--with aspects of everything--well, maybe not horror.
but, if I were a movie, how could I do anything for myself--apart from the script?

If I were an animal, I'd be the strongest--the fastest--the most majestic... or maybe the smallest, the cutest, the most crafty.
but, if I were an animal, where would my humanity be?  I mean, this isn't Disney...

If I could go anywhere, I'd go to the Digital World--if only for a day.
but, in reality, the Digital World doesn't exist..

If I could be anything, I'd be someone people could look up to and learn from.
but, if they are looking up to me, is what I'm standing for worth it?  Am I standing for the right reasons?

If I were perfect, I wouldn't need Jesus.
but, I'm not perfect, and I do need him.

Friday, March 11, 2011

we are the ghosts of 224

I like to doodle. I wouldn't exactly call myself a skilled artist because I'm not a skilled artist, but I can hold my own in a sketch or two, I'd think. Last week, I made a video of my door, writing all the names [in whiteboard markers] of my subscribers on my door as a Thank You. It looked really cool and then earlier this week, I cleaned the door and it looked really empty. I had to put something else on it to fill the space.

So... since I love Digimon, I drew Gatomon and since my roommate Becky asked for Charmander, I drew Charmander--all in sketch of course! This is the result:

KAWAIII!!

Now that we have this awesome door, Becky and I had to do something with it. We like to have fun and sometimes that fun involves taking really silly pictures--it's happened on multiple occasions. They make us laugh... sometimes more than we should. Anyways, we had a photo shoot yesterday afternoon and here are the results. These are my favourite ones:

Jourdene makes a guest appearance... inside Becky's ghost!
I've Jesus in my heart! =)
We're cool people, it's true! =)

We are the ghosts of C224 and we have fun, it's true!  If you're curious as to how we made these images, it's simple really.  Our halls our dark so I had my lens open for longer in order to absorb more light.  If we stepped out of shot to early, the camera had data on us as well as our background and so it overlapped the info.  Cool, eh?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Who is Estell?

I have this story that I'm writing, but what do you know about it? You've seen an excerpt and a brief video summary, but who is it about? Who is Estell?

Here's a brief character sketch that I wrote up in 2008--I've edited it a bit since then, but the main points are still the same. So please, meet Estell!

[I wish I had a picture, but that's not my strong suit...]

Character Sketch

Name: Estell « 'Stell' » Llew
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Description: About 5'8" tall weighing around 120 pounds [underweight].  Her long and slender limbs are covered by a tanned layer of skin.  Because she doesn't have much money, she's had to improvise with clothes and other necessities.  This explains her uneven hair cut [cut with a dagger--by herself].  Her hair is a mix of light blond to soft brown.

Her eyes sit firmly in the middle of her head under delicate golden eyebrows and framed by dark eyelashes.  The iris is a deep gold while the pupil is shown as two stars connected like Siamese twins in each eye.  Her nose matches the rest of her body and is small and delicate sitting above chapped red lips.

Her clothes are tattered and worn.  Dressed like a man for most of her life, she is most comfortable in long pants [breeches] and light smocks [she has two, both worn and dirty].  She has one tunic and then a small bag.

Abilities: She has had lessons in hand-to-hand combat and have picked up numerous other skills over the course of her travels such as daggers and knives.  If she had to, she could wield a sword, but she is not very skilled.

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

What is Estell?

So you've read a brief excerpt, but where's it from? What is the story about?

Watch this clip and you shall be informed...


If you have any questions about Estell, please, ask in the comments and I will answer them on Friday!

Stay tuned for more...

Monday, March 07, 2011

an excerpt

The following is a brief excerpt from Estell, my current Work in Progress. Enjoy!

Grendal nodded to Keln who stepped forward and removed a whip from his belt. Unwinding the thick cord, he pulled back and then brought his arm forward in a quick snap. A loud thump echoed through the small room as the whip connected to Mme. Roh's back.

“It is that same insolence and anger that has earned your nephew’s arrest. Now where is he?” Grendal peered around the small room as if he expected Estell to appear at any moment with an army.

“He is not here.”

“I can see that, woman. Where is he exactly?”

“I ain’t gonna tell ye. Ye’d hurt him.”

The officer signalled to Keln, who pulled back and whipped Mme. Roh again. She cried out in pain but stared, determined back at her tormentors.

“Will you tell me now?”

“I don’t ‘member where he be,” she muttered to the floor.

Grendal raised his hand and the whip fell a third time.

“Can you remember now?”

Mme. Roh pursed her lips together and didn’t answer. Blood red gashes streaked across her back from the force of the whip. In her seat, Estell cried bitter tears of anger and sorrow for her friend as she tried to flee the scene. Mme. Roh had only ever been kind to her, helping her in ways no one else could. She taught, fed, clothed, and loved Estell. She had made ‘Indy,’ a disguise that freed Estell from the ruthless gaze of soldiers and turned their attention on little boys. She had done so much and this soldier didn’t care.

Grendal was losing his patience with Mme. Roh. Estell bit her lip and closed her eyes, not wanting to watch the scene playing below. The worst was yet to come. That moment. The moment that lived with her day and night and prevented her from letting herself grow close to another being...

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Lessons from Disney

Can I just say that I love Disney?

mickeyandminnie:

That you can fall in love with someone regardless of how they look

To be true to your heart.

That love can happen between any two people.

That those we have lost will always be with us.

That even our wildest dreams can come true.

That we must learn to accept differences and love each other for them

That some of the most beautiful people we will ever know, are beautiful for who they are and not what they look like.

That we are all meant for something great.

That you may find the one you are meant for in the strangest places.
AND That a woman can be just as strong--if not stronger than a man.
Oh and one more: no matter the situation, a princess will always have perfect hair.

Things I've learned about France (or at least Normandy)

Well there we go, my second European country. In some ways, very similar to England (a lot of meat and potatoes, fancy churches, pay toilets...