Just a Word

It has been silent on the writing front, not because of lack of desire to put expression and words together, but because something is going on deep inside my soul where God is taking time to write on my heart. What is He writing? Is it a novel? A commentary? A poem? No, it is just a word.

"Humility says, "Lord, I am empty without Your fullness; I am broken without Your wholeness; I am helpless without Your strength; I am clueless without Your wisdom. Apart from You I am nothing. I need You! I need You so desperately that I am pouring myself out to You here in the secret place...

God dignifies us - with sonship, glory, acceptance, royalty, purpose, significance, wealth, honor, salvation, wisdom, revelation, understanding, status, character, holiness, victories - sot that we might enjoy the highest privilege of casting it all at His feet."

(Bob Sorge, Secrets of the Secret Place)

Entry 4: A pic of your most treasured item

 A picture of your most treasured item

My most treasured item is the Word of God. Yes, this is a shot of the Bible I am using right now, however, it is not the physical book that is the treasure, but the living, inspired words that fill it and that are being written on my heart and mind.

Sermon Tattoos

This quick blog post is to ask for prayer. I am sharing this morning in the worship service at Elmwood MB Church, and I will probably be talking about my tattoos.  Many people don't know that I have them let alone expect me to talk of them from the stage on a Sunday morning in a Mennonite church!!

I have been asked to share on the lifestyle choices I have made over the last couple of years; why I choose to live the way I do. Part of that has been the decision get three tattoos in the last two and a half years. They are deeply significant and have been a part of God's redemptive work in my life.

Please pray for grace to speak words clearly and accurately that bring glory to Jesus, and for me to have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Please also lift up this congregation, many of whom are very against tattoos, that they would also have ears to hear and eyes to see the Holy Spirit beyond the surface.

Entry 3: Cast of favourite show

Picture of the cast of your favourite show:
I know I will get flak and teasing for this (except from you Caity...)

 Heartland

Here is a show that I have followed for the last couple of years - the most consistent I have ever been with a show. I don't watch much TV, but when I do, I like tuning into this Canadian drama based in Alberta about a family farm. One of my favourite things about the show is that they talk about things in Canada, referencing cities and places I have been, seeing Alberta license plates, it is one of the cleanest (no swearing, minimal violence save for the times when cowboys need to defend their honor or their woman, and little-to-no sex. Awesome!) .... and the fact that there are a lot of big trucks! I always wanted to be a farmer/rancher and used to dream about learning to ride and own a horse. C'est la Vie. I will just watch this Sunday night show, and pull out my plaid shirt and fake cowboy boots.

Entry 2: My sister sister

 Entry 2: A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

(Why I'm doing this)

Easy.

My sis. Or as we call each other, "Sister sister."

For almost 23 years, either in the same house or not, she is my best friend. Though I see her maybe only once a week, texting or calling occasionally, we have always been close. There were a couple of years there where it was a little unclear if we would make it liking each other, let alone even wanting to be in the same room. We must have been 5 or younger, when I once got upset with her for taking a Barbie or not doing exactly what I wanted her to, so I hit her. Not missing a beat, she bit my bum. Pretty sure we got spanked. That's how I remember it going down, or at lease the story I made up in my head to tell mom. Then again, most of my childhood is one hazy recollection, and it's Michelle (or Meech as I call her), who reminds me of stories, adamantly insisting that I was present there even if I don't remember.

I definitely threw my weight around as the eldest, making her play only the games I wanted to, only allowing the dolls to say what I wanted them to, and getting the first crack at the best dress up clothes. One of our favourite games was playing "Wedding." I would chose the prettiest lace table cloths or fabric pieces out of the linen closet and Meech could have the leftovers. She didn't argue. I would get to play with my prized "flower-girl accessories" from when I was 3, and Meech had to do with whatever we could find, like the large basket centrepiece that was as big as she was. And she didn't argue.

I knew she looked up to me, and I often used that to my advantage. However, years later, I recognized what a honor that was, how blessed I was by her, and that I wanted to be a good role model. More than that, over the years, I have learned to look up to her as a beautiful, confident woman of God, who has a heart the size of Africa (where she dreams of doing mission work with children). The Lord blessed us by having us be in the same family, but more so, as sister in Christ who get to spend eternity together loving Jesus....how wonderful to have a "Sister sister."

Entry 1: Pic of me and 15 facts

Entry 1 of my 30-blog challenge (read about it here: "Accepting the challenge").

15 Facts

(In random order and of varying depth and interest)

 1. I am called to live fully abandoned to Christ and spend my life serving Him no matter what He asks or where He leads.

2. I used to tell my mom every day that I wanted to be "Famous!" Now not so much.

3. In elementary school, I took Toastmasters and gynmastics. The public-speaking paid off, but the gymnastics....

4. At the age of 8, when asked what we wanted most, I said, "A Horse." My sister answered, "A Van!" 

We got a brother. 

5. I went into university focusing on Math. I graduated with English, History and Biblical&Theological Studies. I have a degree in 'writing papers.'

6. Sports I've been involved in (even if for just a day or two): Track & Field (Relay, Javelin, Discus, Shot Put), Gymnastics, Volleyball, Soccer, Field Hockey, Triathlon, Swimming, Sailing, Snowboarding, Canoeing (I think it counts). Sports I dream of being involved in: rowing, rock climbing.

7. I have been Pocahontas, Queen Esther, an inflatable pumpkin, and Laura Inglis for Halloween.

8. I have made claims of every Psalm in the Bible being "My Favourite!" Similar claims made of "Favourite Book" to Isaiah, Revelation, Psalms, Ephesians, John, Acts, and Song of Solomon.

9. I sing and pray out loud when walking down the street.

10. My great-grandfather's (on Dad's side) name: Nicholas Demitrios Stephanopolus

11. Until 16, I dreamed of becoming Queen, so that I could command people to let me into their house so I could see what it looked like on the inside (I have this thing about home architecture and design, and the queen could totally throw her weight around to be a snoop, right?!)...plus, I could wear ball gowns everyday if I wanted - because I would be the Queen.

12. I really like shopping, or pretending to shop, though it used to be one of my greatest fears.

13. If I ever have kids, I think 12 is a good number...means one spare for the family soccer team. If they would be all boys, I could name them after the tribes of Israel, or trade out some of the less favorable associations with names like "Enoch," "David," "Zion," "Gideon," "Isaiah," or "Hudson(yes, not biblical, but awesome)." Just sayin'.

14.  Nicknames include: Jan, Janney, J-Bird, Nell, J, Nup-Nup, Nubins, Nupster, Janelley, Janelley-Bean, Num-Nut, Tub-Tub, Cup-Cup, Nub-Nub, Nip-Nip, and Chinelle. I do not respond to the ones crossed out.

15. I sometimes wear fake glasses.

Accepting the Challenge

A dear, sweet friend of mine has been doing a 30-day blogging challenge and it got me thinking. On a recent weekend trip home from college, she told me over gourmet pancakes of this journey of blogging short comments and pictures daily that has made her think of topics or answers to questions she has not faced before or had to articulate. It's only a month commitment, but is an exercise in consistency and being challenged to think through different topics. I accept the challenge, though will be taking longer than a month. I simply commit to doing 30 blog posts on the following list.
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show
Day 04 - A picture of your night
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate
Day 12 - A picture of something you love
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 19 - A picture and a letter
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 21 - A picture of something you miss doing
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change
Day 25 - A picture of your day
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you
Day 27 - A picture of your last meal
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

Take a look at my friend's site to see how her challenge is going (I'm even in one of them!):
http://spiffyintuition.blogspot.com/