Exodus

So I started reading my bible over from the beginning about a couple of weeks ago. Today when I was reading I noticed something... In exodus, when Moses and Aaron keep asking the pharoah to let God's people go to worship him... Well, here's the verse and I'm sure you've heard it: "The egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand againstEgypt and bring the Israelites out from among them." Well, I don't know about you but normally when I read that verse- well it sounds like the Egyptians are gonna know that God is all big and powerful and mighty- and I think that's part of it- but it says they'll know he is the LORD- He is not only revealing who he is to the Israelites, but also to the Egyptians, isn't that interesting- that doesn't mean the Egyptians all suddenly realize he's God and change and start believing in him, but He not only revealed himself to his people, but also to the egyptians. After what he did, there could be no doubting - to the rational mind at least- that their God existed..... Oh, and here's one more interesting verse: "They said tho them 'The LORD look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with pharoah and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.' " Isn't that ironic- they didn't understand and said the lord judge you- and yet moses and aaron were doing exactly as the lord had told them to do. 2 things, don't worry so much about criticism from others.... secondly, don't be so quick to judge- you're not God after all....

crazy

Sometimes, I think I'm slightly crazy. Why in the world do I want to study in another country? Why can't I just stay somewhere where it's more comfortable for me? Why....?....... And then I remember that I'm not actually the one in charge of my life anymore. I'm glad that I am no longer content to sit around and be "comfortable". I tend to learn less, be lazier, and generally not as nice of a person when I am content being "comfortable". So, maybe I am crazy sometimes, and should think myself crazy occasionally, but I have to say I wouldn't be the person I am and life would be much more boring if I didn't do slightly "crazy" things sometimes....

not the future, nor the past, Now

So I've been avoiding my blogspot......because my last blog was pretty serious and I don't know, I just didn't feel like writing anything on it. The last 3 or 4 days have been great. I was pretty upset thursday, and alot of friday too....although not really crying like I was thursday. And it was great, the thing that made the last few days so much better has been that I've been hanging out with friends, and just enjoying life. And something else. I guess I'm always looking for things that can be learnt from situations in life. Not that they necessarily happen for the sole purpose of teaching you things, but you can nearly always learn something worth learning from them. At least then you don't just take horrible things from life, you learn things. I should learn to be a better christian (in it's true meaning, a mirror of christ, etc...) We only have each day to do that in, and that is our whole purpose anyways, isn't it? Maybe this sounds really crazy, but can you really wait until you get to see God? Maybe something in this life makes us afraid of death... (but I don't think it's really death we're afraid of) I think we're afraid of the uncertain. It seems like, to me, the one thing people search for and want more than anything in this world is security. We just look for it in different things: love, money, a house, a family, job, fame, success, independence. But the one thing we can't prevent is our own deaths. We have no control over that. eventually we die. People don't like talking about it unless they have to. They think it's morbid. (which, I mean, I guess technically it is) Anyways, what I'm getting at, is if we have security (God) we shouldn't really be afraid of death, we shouldn't really fear the unknown.... Another point, and I probably haven't been doing the greatest job of this, is living everyday. I mean doing everything you can in this day to be christ. To be thankful, and kind, and realize that we live in now, not the future or the past. And to matt- thank you for befriending me my first half-week in Northern Ireland, and for the midnight run to the petrol station to get a some galaxy chocolate that you said I had to try. Thank you for helping to remind me that life should not be wasted, and that every day is a chance to be like Christ.

I've just found out a friend of mine from NI died today. In a motorcycle accident. Makes you do a lot of thinking. and I'm still kinda in shock. He was only 19. He knew God. I don't feel like writing. will leave it at that and ask that you pray for his family and friends please. Thanks.

A new book

Yesterday I started reading the bible -all over again, from the beginning. Maybe part of it was just the version I was reading it in, but I couldn't help thinking it was much better than any books I've read recently... the language, imagery, poetry of it,.... etc... (and I haven't even made the point that it's all true yet..) And.. It's all True! Anyways as I was reading, (and I kind of wanted to approach it this way) It wasn't like hearing all the stories you hear as a kid growing up in church, you know, where you're used to it all because you've grown up hearing it. It was almost like reading it the first time.... amazing... (not saying it wasn't amazing before, but...) Try reading it, actually reading it, like a book, not a text book, or like a book you already have memorized.... Try reading it like a new novel you just got, and you're so hungry to read it, you just can't put it down for the suspense, or the intrigue, or ... the truthfulness of it all.... Just thought I'd share that. : )

Everything

Here's a quick little something of a thought for ya : Jesus Christ. He is the only thing that makes anything worth having- or giving up.

Overwhelming dreams

I have another blog site, one which at the moment there's not much on. It's not for normal blogs, It's a start to what I someday hope to have as a magazine in publication. I got some stuff done on it a couple days ago. I added about 13 links. The magazine is basically going to be on dif. things going on in the world, what people can do to help, and what organizations are already doing. The concept of it is nearly like a missions magazine, except that I hope ( when and if it happens) that this magazine will reach a much broader "audience". And I realized something, again, the other day when I was doing all this. It's so easy to dream up a concept, to visualize things happening, it's another thing to actually go through with plans to help make them happen. It took me hours just to get together a list of organizations, their contact information, set up a new email address just for that, and add all the links to my blog site. I still need to print out an actual outline of my plans for the magazine, general information on all the organizations I have info for right now (that's gonna take forever) Then every week I need to find a story, do research and post it on my blogsite, with organizations and ways people can help out. That's a lot of work. But you know, dreams aren't worth more than the rubbish we throw out everyday unless we actually do something about them. Saying you're going to help people and going to make a difference isn't noble. Doing it is.

For or Against....Is it about what we think it is?

So I have a "myspace" - and someone posted a bulletin- it was asking whether you agree or disagree with same-sex marriage. Normally I don't respond to chain stuff like that- and there were already over a hundred responses...... But for some reason I decided to post a response also. Here it is:

127. Erin C. - against- To be honest, I don't always care too much what laws get passed and such, God is in control and I'm here to show others God's love not to get caught up in politics- there are more important things in life. I cannot, however condone something that the Bible clearly states as a sin. I no more condone people showing hate to others that they consider sinners- We are to show love to them. And in response to those who say that it should be allowed because they're "in love" or because it's just "love" I question whether you really understand what love is. I question whether very much of society really understands what love is- including many people who claim to be christians, who instead are very judgemental toward others. Our version of love has become very distorted and possibly some should look into the real meaning of it before claiming it as a defense. Secondly, In response to those who said "as long as it makes them happy" I question whether they really are happy living like that. I question whether anyone living in sin ( I'm not just talking about obvious sins, or "big" sins) who doesn't know God is truly happy. We were created with something inside us that is not truly happy- not truly satisfied with all the junk and crap and pain in this life- until we know our creator, until we know we are loved by someone greater than ourselves, until we understand why we are here- and until we understand that we don't really belong here. There is something else - what we've all been longing for- what we were created for. So, no , I do not agree with it at all, I don't agree with sin at all, but we all were (sinners)- at least at some point, - We should treat everyone with the love God gives to everyone- it is unconditional. But this does not mean condoning something which is wrong. It does mean loving the person though.

The 'world power'....of a broken world

I've been absolutely horrible about blogging the last few weeks, just haven't really had loads to write about I guess. I heard about the london bombings, and it's all very horrible... But their response compared to US responses to things that happen like that seem so different, I may be wrong, but that's what it seems like. It seems like everyone in the us flips out about stuff like this- especially the media- but it seems like people in London, at least, think what happened is horrible of course- but they aren't going to let it mess with their lives..... Wonder why it always seems (maybe it's just how the media portrays things) like the US is so paranoid about everything- It's as though they think "we've got to be in danger- of course they'd go after us, because we're the US...." Sounds pretty conceited if you ask me, maybe that's why they seem to like to go after the US- or maybe it's all in our heads- maybe when something terrible happens to us, everyone has to hear, everyone has to know, because , once again, we're the US- what about all the horrible,unjust things that happen everywhere else that never get publicity? Why does the US claim to be such a christian country, when so much of what we do goes against it? I'm not meaning to bash my own country- there are many things I love about it- but what kind of person are you if you blindly concede to all your country promotes for 'patriotisms' name? There are things higher than ones own country.... We are here to serve others, .... to be living examples of Christ.... The US claims being a world power- no doubt about that- They say we are an example of liberty, freedom, ..... all too true... WE are the world power- of a broken world, we are an example- of abused liberty and freedom- nonetheless we do have it.... and I agree, freedom is a great thing, but far too often it is ill-used. If we are going to boast of all the things we typically do- let the media boast of the US leading a broken world..., by examples of selfishness, greed, materialism, war, injustice, .... the list goes on, If we are going to boast about how "great" we are should we not also boast of how utterly broken we are- we are a part of this world and as the leader are no greater than the weakest and worst of it. As the leader we have the greatest chance to do the most harm or the most good. How will America be remembered when so much of what we promote contradicts what we do? Maybe we could use a little humility...... to help lessen the pride.

YaY !!!!!!!!!

well, still haven't heard from queen's - But - I got a conditional offer from uni. of ulster- they just need proof basically that I have the money to go.... !!!!! How exciting!!! but I do still hope to hear from Queen's soon, it would be my first choice of the 2........ !!!!! just happy I finally heard something awesome.. : ) Anyways, I think I'm gonna go enjoy watching the fireworks down at the lake, since it is fourth of july and everything.... Cya all later.