Ain't Nobody Worryin'?

Seeing photos of all these kids in Haiti breaks my heart. The Joint Council on International Children's Services estimates that there will be over one million children who will have lost one parent or both as the death toll rises to about 200,000. What boggles my mind is that even in the midst of this disaster, there are criminals that are taking advantage of the situation to steal from people as police and peacekeepers are too busy with the relief effort. Twice, an orphanage called Maison des Enfants de Dieu (House of the Children of God) had armed bandits break in and then leave empty handed because there was nothing there for them to steal. When I reflect on my own life and the lives of those around me, it seems like many of us don't really care and there ain't nobody worryin' about what's happening to our "neighbours" in the Caribbean - people in dire need.

I don't know why God, in His goodness and sovereignty, would allow something like this to happen, but I know that He cares for mankind because He sent His son to die on a cross for our sake - probably the greatest demonstration of love we can know. It may not feel like it or seem like it at times but I can look at the truth of the gospel and confidently know that God is immutable, merciful, good and love. And I should care for those around me in need, not because they deserve it or I owe it to them, but because God loves them just as He loves me. And I know that in the midst of trials and tribulation, we must cling to the living hope that begins at the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ - a hope that God will be a father to the fatherless and will make true His promises to love and care for us, trusting that we won't be consumed by these trials and suffering but instead, be strengthened in our faith and character.

"I believe like a child that suffering will be healed and made up for, that all the humiliating absurdity of human contradictions will vanish like a pitiful mirage, like the despicable fabrication of the impotent and infinitely small Euclidean mind of man, that in the world's finale, at the moment of eternal harmony, something so precious will come to pass that it will suffice for all hearts, for the comforting of all resentments, for the atonement of all the crimes of humanity, for all the blood that they've shed; that it will make it not only possible to forgive but to justify all that has happened." - Fyodor Dostoevsky

This Is It

This is it. Year 4. Eight years of university hopefully coming to a finish at the end of 2010. I've only been back in Brisbane for 5 days but I feel like it's going to be such an awesome year as long as I keep remembering and acknowledging how great and good God is. I don't know where I'm going to end up after this year - Australia, Canada, the US, somewhere else? It's going to be a wild ride into the unknown.

Feeling at home with my new "family" has been easy because they are so warm, loving and hospitable. I'm so thankful for such a great place to call home. This is what they'd look like if they were magically turned into a bunch of cute, stuffed toys (mama bear in the middle).

It's nice to get a visit by a few of my new canine flatmates once in a while too!

Revelation Song

"At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were 24 other thrones, and seated on them were 24 elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightening, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal."

"In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:"

"Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty

who was, and is, and is to come."

"Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the 24 elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:"

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being."

"Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?' But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.'"

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:"

"You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood you purchased men for God

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth."

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throng and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:"

"Worthy is the lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!"

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them saying:"

"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

"The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the elders fell down and worshiped."

(taken from Revelation 4 and 5)

Replay

Some people are just so talented it's not fair...



And just because this is the cutest video I've seen this break, I had to post this even though it's well after Christmas.

Holiday Music

I was listening to the electro-pop song called "Fireflies" by Owl City. Based on the vocals, I thought maybe this was some solo project by Ben Gibbard from Death Cab or Matt Thiessen from Relient K...but the techno-pop doesn't really seem to fit their style. Anyway, I went to check out Owl City's Myspace and found out that it is Matt Thiessen who does some vocals on the song and also helped to co-produce the album. It's got a catchy beat but I'm not sure if I understand the lyrics which he claims to be a product of many sleepless nights. What I found interesting was that on his MySpace, he has:

"I follow Jesus Christ wholeheartedly. He is my life, my strength, my all."

I hope he can use his growing fame to proclaim God's fame to the world.

I've listened through "Battle Studies" by John Mayer and I must say I'm disappointed. I would consider myself a pretty big fan of his music - I think I have all of his albums and have attempted to learn how to play through most of them at one point or another. Perhaps it's my high expectations of Mayer but all the songs sounded pretty bland. Memorable riffs that you can find in songs like Neon, Why Georgia, Belief, The Heart of Life, Something's Missing...and pretty much everything by John Mayer Trio...aren't as prominent. The lyrics aren't very impressive either - loving a girl with half your heart while you look around for someone better; moping, heartache and self-pity. I wouldn't mind so much if it was accompanied by some blues-rock like that found in "Try!" I could maybe see myself busting out this album and listening to it after a bad breakup. I'm definitely not feeling any desire to grab my guitar to learn any of these new songs. Sorry John, but this is a FAIL.

Another album I've been listening to is "The Element of Freedom" by the gorgeous Alicia Keys. Why am I listening to all these heartbreak/heartache tunes? Anyway, it's not bad. I'm not sure if I like how she uses classical piano riffs in her songs. I have a feeling Claude Debussy would be rolling in his grave if he heard Like the Sea. But, I still love her voice and that makes this album alright.

I do want to get my hands on Jay-Z's latest at some point (I know I'm like 5 months behind here but with my current budget for music, it's tough! The search for fresh, memorable, biblically sound, congregationally appropriate music takes priority these days).

He Knows My Name

This is one of my favorite songs and the guy singing it has skills. Awesome voice.