Have you ever heard of the song Cannibalism, by the Christian artists, The Lads?

Most of my friends hate this song.  They see no true meaning behind the lyrics whatsoever.  But I believe that that’s a lie.

For five years I have just faved the lyrics, the beat and the tempo.  But the day after getting back from a mission trip to Cambodia and travelling for an hour to Church, this song came on and I was struck with the hidden meaning of the song (as well as others).  Now, sadly I’ve forgotten the meaning that I had discovered behind the lyrics then, but I had a listen to it again today and realised the following things… (listed below, after the lyrics)

If you don’t know the song, the lyrics go as follows:

“V1
If you are looking at your boyfriend
thinking he’s so yummy
If you are looking at your girlfriend
thinking she’s good enough to eat
Well think on this don’t think too long
Well think on this…

CH1
Cannibalism’s wrong
Cannibalism’s wrong
you have to be strong

V2
If you are starving on an air-plane
‘cos you’re in economy
And if you have crashed down in the ocean
and you’re allergic to sea food
By eating me you could stay strong
And I could learn to hop along
Apart from this

CH2
Cannibalism’s wrong
You must fight it don’t deny
Cannibalism’s wrong
Come on people, can’t you see
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t be tempted, you have to be strong

BR
We all know someone, who has had a bite
Taken out of them by, somebody else’s spite
It happens every day, but does that make it right
They want their lives to be prolonged
And not be carved up by your tongue
So listen up…

CH3
Cannibalism’s wrong
You must fight, it don’t deny
Cannibalism’s wrong
Come on people, can’t you see
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t be tempted, to eat them
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t deny it you must fight
Cannibalism’s wrong
Don’t eat your best friend’s thigh you know why
Cannibalism’s wrong
Even if they deserve it, you can’t eat them ‘cos it’s wrong

OUTRO QUATRO
If you do don’t eat the skin, it’s fattening”
(http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Cannibalism-lyrics-The-Lads/072C48F7880578AA482571F7001117F8) 

Traditionally cannibalism means eating someone, but if you’re obsessed with your boyfriend/girlfriend or just a friend then you are eating them theoretically.  You are spending all of your time (and maybe their’s) obsessing over them.

This is often unhealthy as we sometimes forget about what really matters in life…

One main (and often forgotten point) is God. God wants our time.  He wants to spend time with us.  But sometimes we put friends before God.  Or socialising. Or television, music, sleep, assignments, homework etc.  And it isn’t always easy to remember to put God first, but we MUST.  He loves us and cares for us and wants to get to know us better, and for us to get to know Him! 

Cannibalism’s Wrong!

(There’s a lot more to add (e.g. words, devotion, worldy values, etc.) and if I remember/discover more I’ll add them up (when I have the time, and the patience), but for the moment, I think this will do). Goodnight, sweet beautiful World!

I have no idea who reads this and in some way would like to know, but in other ways, don’t want to know… but I just wanted to shout out I LOVE MY FRIENDS!!!

In the last two days, my life has been an intriguing one.  I usually never fight with my Mother, and if I do it’s more a harsh anger shouting match which can entail some physical aggression.  However, in the recent visit it was a death silence match concluding with a “well if you’re going to be like that. you can get out and leave”… these ones a very rare and seem to hurt the most.  With the pain caused often hindering the growth of love shared.

It is this event (not so much) and two other events which happened in the two days which made me wonder why I even bother trying…

I am meant to be going on a mission trip with a Christian group, called Student Life (www.studentlife.org.au), to Byron Bay over the Christmas break, evangelising and just having general conversations with the locals and tourists.  However, I stuffed up Thursday…

Each Thursday I lead (or rather am meant to lead) an evangelism group on the Uni campus, which lately has not happen.  I hate myself that I fail in this area and really want it to happen, but I am too scared, in an aspect, to put the steps in place when it actually comes to talking to “’”“strangers”“”.  

This last Thursday, I was actually excited about doing evangelism.  I woke up early for once - 530am and was ready for a GREAT day (a change from the last few months of dreary negativity), however, when it got to leading EV, I took the backseat.  I was asked by someone older and MUCH wiser, if me, and the person I was taking evangelising, wanted to practice and as much as I didn’t really want to (because I then create an expectation and a standard of how evangelising is meant to be done), I decided to give it a go.  After conducting the practice, a whole lot of unexpected feelings just rushed to the top and I freaked! I had to get out of the building and I had to find fresh air.  This is one of the reasons that I don’t think I can go to Summer Projects (the mission trip to Byron Bay).  If I can’t evangelise on a Uni campus, what makes me think that I can evangelise at Byron Bay?  Why do I freak?  It’s not hard… I’ve done it before… and I love meeting new people and making new friends.  But if I cannot get over this ditch of non-evangelism then I cannot go to Byron Bay!

The other reason was because I screwed up on Friday.  I backslid somewhere I haven’t been for awhile and don’t want to be often, but lately seem to be majorly/solely existing.  I know I’m not perfect.  I have never been.  But when you’re expected to be at a certain standard to go on the trip, and you almost didn’t get accepted… the reminder when you screw up cuts pretty deep!

With these two/three things in mind, I have been looking at pulling out from Summer Projects, the trip to Byron Bay.  This included going on the website to look at withdrawing my application.  I haven’t got the money required yet, and I know if I am meant to go, God will provide but I don’t know how I (with who I am) could ever fulfil what everyone expects me to do.

However, today I got a present from a friend… I didn’t expect this at all, it was such a surprise ( I don’t know if they realised this or not) but when I finally got the chance to open it (—> I have to be by myself, because sadly I cannot open gifts in front of people easily… I wish I could but I can’t), it was just what I needed.  It was a message to say Don’t Quit! Trust in the Lord. And I love it.  If I could cry I’d be balling my eyes out right now :)

My friends are beautiful!

I love when there are God moments… take the following for example!

(Thursday, 24th of January, 2008)

God show me where to go.  I understand Brazil wasn’t on the list.  I am praying that this means I get a break this year?… but part of me want to go on team again.  God I’d like to volunteer at Boot Camp at least!  Cambodia’s going again Lord - please help me.  I am so desperate to return! 

Open my eyes, so I may see.  Open my ears, so I can hear.  Open my mouth so I may taste.  Open my hands, so I may feel.  Open my nose, so I may smell.  Open my heart, so I may do!  Am I to serve You long term?  In missions?  Please, as I open my Bible to a random page (for a first) show me a verse which is significant!

pg 460
Psalm 18 (Immediately looking at verse 6)
“But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help.  He heard me from His santuary; my cry reached his ears.”

The wind then blew to Psalm 20:1
“In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry.”

I still felt God-less however, and was doubting God a fair bit… I started reading Psalm 22:1
“My God, my God!  Why have you forsaken me?  Why do you remain so distan?  Why do you ignore my cries for help?

In which the wind blew to Psalm 33 & 34 (on consecutive pages):
Psalm 33:1
“Let the godly sing with joy to the Lord, for it is fitting to praise Him.

Psalm 34:1,2
“I will praise the Lord at all times.  I will constantly speak His praises,  I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

I love these times.  They are hugely encouraging.  They create a peace rarely man-made.  It’s not a peace of man, but a peace of the Holy Spirit and it is beautiful!

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in the lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but for the interests of others.”

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

Simply for me, God does not want us to be selfish, but to help others up when they fall down.  To not bring others up to expect self-gratification either, but to do it out of love.  I suppose also you could even go along the lines of saying, watch what you wear… if you wear something suggestive, provocative, or simply body-hugging, so that it can make someone else stumble, then you’re not keeping an eye out for others… 

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not, for I am with thee.  Be not dismayed for I am thy God.  I will strengthen thee, yea.  I will help thee, yea.  I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Why are we scared?

It is the human characteristic to be scared…

We have been obsessed/involved in the world too long, that we often lose focus of the real reason in life, and the safety provided for us.

Christ is our refuge and strength. 

As Christians, we should NOT be afraid.  We know that there is an ultimate plan in our lives and that God has ultimate control of our lives.  He will take us from the Earth, when He is ready - to protect us from future things, or to keep us at the position of faith that we’re at.

Therefore, we should not fear or be dismayed, for God will help us through the tough times, the struggles, the needs, etc.  All we need to do is turn to Him. 

II Peter 2:9,21
^“9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: ²¹For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

I Corinthians 10:12,13
^”12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  ¹³There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Joshua 1:9
^“9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Isaiah 40:31
^“31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
‘Why are you spending so much time on this one?’
And the Lord answered, ‘Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart
-and she will do everything
with only two hands.’

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
‘Only two hands!? No way!
And that’s just on the standard model?
That’s too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish.’

‘But I wo! ! ! n’t, ’ the Lord protested.
‘I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18 hour days.’

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
‘But you have made her so soft, Lord.’

‘She is soft,’ the Lord agreed,
‘but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.’

‘Will she be able to think?’, asked the angel.

The Lord replied,
‘Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate.’

The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman’s cheek.
‘Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.’

‘That’s not a leak,’
the Lord corrected,
‘that’s a tear!’
‘What’s the tear for?’ the angel asked.

The Lord said, ‘The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
h! ! ! er sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride.’
The angel was impressed.
‘You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing.’

And she is!
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness,
love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don’t take ‘no’ for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a f! ! ! riend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.
PLEASE pass this along to your women friends and relatives
to remind them just how amazing they are.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not shouting “I’m clean livin’.”

I’m whispering “I was lost,

Now I’m found and forgiven.”

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I don’t speak of this with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible

But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches

So I call upon His name.

When I say… “I am a Christian”

I’m not holier than thou,

I’m just a simple sinner

Who received God’s good grace, somehow!

John 3:16


     A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner,
     the people were in & out of the cold.

     The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many
papers.

     He walked up to a policeman & said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen
to
know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would
you?

     You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there & down the
alley
& it's awful cold in there for tonight.

     Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."



     The policeman looked down at the little boy & said, "You go down
the
street to that big white house & you knock on the door. When they come
out
the door you just say John 3:16, & they will let you in."

     So he did. He walked up the steps & knocked on the door, & a lady
answered. He looked up & said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in,
Son."

     She took him in & she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in
front
of a great big old fireplace, & she went off. The boy sat there for a
while
& thought to himself: John 3:16 ... I don't understand it, but it sure
makes

a cold boy warm.



     Later she came back & asked him "Are you hungry?"

     He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of
days, &
I guess I could stand a little bit of food."

     The lady took him in the kitchen & sat him down to a table full of

wonderful food. He ate & ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he
thought

to himself:
     John 3:16 ... Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a
hungry boy full.



     She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with
warm

water, & he sat there & soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to
himself: John 3:16...
     I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean.
     You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The
only

bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant
as
they flushed it out.

     The lady came in & got him. She took him to a room, tucked him
into a
big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him
goodnight & turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness & looked
out
the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to
himself: John 3:16 ... I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired
boy
rested.



     The next morning the lady came back up & took him down again to
that
same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that
same
big old split bottom
     rocker in front of the fireplace & picked up a big old Bible.

     She sat down in front of him & looked into his young face & said,
"Do
you understand John 3:16 ?" she asked gently.

     He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it
was
last night when the policeman told me to use it."

     She opened the Bible to John 3:16 & began to explain to him about
Jesus.

     Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart
&
life to Jesus. He sat there & thought: John 3:16 I don't understand it,
but
it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.



     You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God
was
willing to send His Son to die for me, & how Jesus would agree to do
such a
thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father & every angel in
heaven as

they watched Jesus suffer & die. I don't understand the intense love for
ME
that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it

sure does make life worth living.

     John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten
Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting

life.



     If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions.

     Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you
before

my Father." Pass this on only if you mean it.



     I do Love God. He is my source of existence ... He keeps me
functioning each & every day. Phil 4:13 If you love God & are not
ashamed of

all the marvelous things he has done for you, send this on.

     Take 60 seconds & give this a shot!
     Let's just see if Satan stops this one.

     All you do is:

     1) Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this,
"Father, God bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she
may

be needing this day!"



     2) Then send it on to ten other people.
     Within hours 10 people have prayed for you, & you caused a
multitude
of people to pray to God for other people. Then sit back & watch the
power
of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.

MIGHT WE ALL BE SOLD OUT THIS WAY AND BE WILLING, NO MATTER WHAT COMES
 AGAINST US, TO STAND FOR CHRIST……………
 
 
FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED
 
 
 
The following letter was written by a young pastor in Zimbabwe who was
 later martyred for his faith:
 I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit
 power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The
 decision has been made—I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let
 up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present
 makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low
 living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams,
 tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
 I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions,
 plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops,
 recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean
 on God’s presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor
 with power.
 My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow,
 my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, my
 mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured
 away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face
 of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the
 pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
 I won’t give up, shut up, let up, or slow down until I have stayed up,
 stored up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for the cause of Jesus
 Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give until
 I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me. And when He
 comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner
 clear, I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

I just got back from seeing ‘This is It’, the Michael Jackson movie, at the cinemas, and I am really not sure what to think about it.

I’ve never really grown up on Michael Jackson songs, however there are a few I do like the beat of e.g. Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, etc. 

I was thinking throughout the whole movie though, “This is really sad.”  Not sad as in teary sad, but sad as in a “loneliness sad”.  Do you get me?

I mean, here we have a male singer, who was born African-American, but felt he needed to change, because the World could not accept him for who he was.  His childhood songs, with the Jackson Five, are the ones I remember him for.  Not because they were a hit, but because when you look at the videos of him at a really young age, he didn’t care what he looked like.  He was innocent. Happy. A child.  Elated.

However, as stated above, when he got older, he changed.  He wanted to become white.  He went through facial products, to be outweighed by cosmetic surgery, to be seen as a ‘caucasian’ American.  His children were also, allegedly said to not be his biological children, as he did not want them to have the dark skin… And even when he was white,  I personally don’t think he was still happy with his looks, with himself.

How many of us are like that?  I know I have been of late.  I figure “if I lose enough weight to be in the “healthy” BMI and the “healthy” waist measurement range, then I’ll be satisfied with my body’s appearance”, “If I dye my hair, tone my muscles, and wear makeup, then I’ll be accepted”.  “If I am super skinny, like the chicks that wear bikinis in the sale magazines, then I will find a guy”… Except these things are a load of IFs, and should not be weighed on so heavily.

I wish I could say that I have fully accepted myself for who I am, but it is an arduous journey, and I’m only starting the incline part of the journey.  I still see myself (2 years ago), as a Target size 18, where as I am normally a 15, bordering now a 12.  I still think I have a pot belly, whereas it’s just the way my spine is curved, and my hips elongate the stomach a bit more. And I still think I have an ugly nose, disgusting unruly hair, and far too many pimples… but God loves me anyway.

My foundation in accepting myself is God!  I do not want to go down the path of Michael Jackson, trying to accept myself, through the World’s glasses, as that IS impossible… it only brings misery, and is never accomplished.  And the more we try and fit into the World, the more miserable we are going to become, because we’re trying to change who our Creator, has designed us to be.  We are trying to say “God I do NOT like who you have created me to be.  I do not like that I have bigger hips than size 8 (Australian), or am flat chested.  And I am going to do everything in my league to change who I am, so that I can be seen as that attractive, “guy attention drawing” girl.” 

Whereas it should be the other way around…  We should be saying, “God, you have created me individually.  You knew how I would look before I was born.  You loved me for me, and not because I would be seen as that popular, skinny chick, with a rack that all the guys look at, down the street.  I am a beautiful part of your creation.  You have made me individually, and set me apart, like a snowflake and a finger print, so that no one else can claim what you have created as their own.  You love me for who I am, both the internal beauty and the external beauty, whether I, or anyone else thinks so, or not.  You love me, for me, and I should not be trying to change that! YOU LOVE ME!!!” 

Which brings me to another point.  I’ve struggled with this concept a little bit this year as well.  Dressing to impress.  Why do we do it?  Seriously?  If you don a dress, slick some makeup on your face, and fancify your hair… how are you going to impress the right person?  I’m talking about girls, trying to impress guys.  I can’t really talk on the guys behalf - because, well you know, there’s a bit of an anatomical difference there, but if you’re trying to draw attention from the guys by wearing short shorts, a bikini, or outlining your eyes so that the guy just gets lost staring into them… how do you know you’ve caught the right guy? 

Is he caught because he loves you?  He loves your inner beauty?  Or is he caught hook, line and sinker, by the beauty you elegate yourself with, ensuring that he’s stuck in a trance whenever he physically sees you, but wakes up to reality, or chases after someone who he sees as more attractive, as soon as you’ve left his eye sight? 

Bikinis lure guys in alright.  But they’re also a stumbling block.  Not just for guys, but for girls too.  Girls, don’t see them the same way as guys do, however, when you do wear only a bikini, you are going to get looks.  Girls will be wishing they had a bigger rack, or a flatter, more toned stomach (even if there’s is in a healthy normal range) and guys are going to be visually receptive, imagining what’s underneath.  In simple words, you wouldn’t walk outside, and down the street, in a lace bra and underwear would you?  Then isn’t the bikini the exact same thing?  Wouldn’t you like to save part of your body for your husband to see only?  Because if you show everything, but what’s underneath the bikini, to everyone… it’s not going to be much of a prize for your husband, when he finally comes to bite. 

I know it’s not easy, to ensure your not causing a temptation to others.  I’ve done it myself, recently, in the attempt to ensure that a friend would feel more comfortable, when around a certain guy.  I did not realise, till it was later pointed out (even though the water was cloudy), that it was not right, what I was thinking (in trying to help a friend elude full focus) wasn’t helping her, me, or the significant other involved.  It was also ruining everything (in my values, modesty, and respect issues) that I stood for beforehand. 

And yes there are times when you want to feel sexy, especially if you never have felt that way before.  But you have to also realise - why do I want to dress to impress?  What benefit is it going to do for me, or for others who see me?  Is it going to help them, or cause them to stumble?

As recently said at an event I went to, true husbands are attracted to far more beauty than what lays on the surface.  They look inwards, to the beauty that God has created there… and are searching to hopefully see how strong your relationship with God is.

God is my rock, and my foundation.  I need to look to Him when I struggle, and when I am fine.  I need to remember that He is my creator, and He loves me for me, whether I am fat, or skinny.  Black or White.  Tall or Short.  Freckled or Unfreckled.  Albino or Tanned.  He loves me for me, and He loves you for you!

~ Psalm 139:13-16~

~1 Peter 3:3,4~

~Proverbs 31~

~Proverbs 31:30~

~2 Corinthians 2:2,3 ~

~Galatians 5:22,23~

~1 Timothy 2:9,10~

~ 2 Timothy 2:21,22~

I spent around $130 today at Koorong.  But only had to pay $100 due to a 20% discount… gotta love discounts!

  Added to my superchick collection - so I now got a total of 3 CDs (Karaoke superstar, Beauty from Pain, Rock What You Got),  I want to get the WHOLE collections - it’s my goal :).

In short I bought today,

• Superchick - Karaoke Superstars CD
• Wow Hits 2010 CD
• Wow Hits 2009 CD
• Wow Worship CD
• Wow Hits 1 CD
• Bible Cover Case - surprisingly the right size too… it also has a pocket which fits the notebook I’ve got at the moment 100% perfect!
• Thr3e (DVD - book is great, so now watching the DVD, hopefully just a favourable as the first TEd Dekker book I ever read!!!)
• End of the Spear - my favourite Christian movie I’ve ever watched. I notice new things every time I watch it, and get impacted in a different way each time.  It’s one movie which has made me really want to go to South America, and help out there… I had a lot of things pointing to going there in 2007 - but things fell through… So I wasn’t sure if it was a God thing or not.

But that was my splurging for today.  Not bad being I don’t think I’ve spent over $200 in total at Koorong in the past 4 years. :).

I should be packing my room up, as I have to have it completely empty before 730pm tonight… but I’m just in the mood to run and jump and be spontaneously crazy!!! 

Saw a few people do the spiritual quizzes on here yesterday, and so as an attempt to get my mind into packing mood, I had a go at them… below are the results (and urls <— yeps u can tell I’m a uni student :S)

http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi 
Your dominant gifts are Showing Mercy, Pastor/Shepherd, Serving

http://www.christianet.com/cgi-bin/bible.cgi?q=1258002601215

1. Servant/Helps (100%)
2. Evangelist (100%)
3. Wisdom (89%)

Haha um… lol?  Love serving definitely but not sure about the others at all…

I had one of the most encouraging Quiet Times that I’ve had in ages.  Nothing solid, because I just opened the Bible, and read in the middle of a chapter, but the paragraph I read was really good.

A few weeks ago I heard the phrase “Salt & Light” used in a sermon, but it wasn’t explained in depth, and so I was curious at what it meant.  Last night, just before I went to bed, I opened it up directly to Matthew 5:13, completely forgetting about the sermon from a few weeks ago, I was reminded.

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

The following is a few points that were revealed whilst I was reading…

We are only as good a Christian, if we stay connected to God.  If we disconnect from God, we lose the reason we are Christians.  We become more about religion than relation. 

Saying you are a Christian, but not having a personal relationship causes you to lose your flavour of God.  To lose the salt flavour, and be trampled all over like flavourless salt.

I also saw this as a good Evangelism (EV) tool:

Helps with those that say they’re christian, but don’t really believe anything more.  That they’re Christian because they’re good, not because they’re actually having a personal relationship with God.  Ties back in that we need to have that relationship with God, and be connected with Him, to be able to go to Heaven.