CANADIANA

This afternoon I got to play some outdoor shinny on a frozen lake. Pond hockey is such a classic Canadian winter scene. The weather was perfect- no biting wind or unbearable temperatures. The mercury was just below zero. And the lake was a smooth sheet of glass!

What a beautiful sound to hear the blades of skates cutting into the ice, or the crisp connecting of a tape-to-tape pass. We went at it for a good two hours, if not more. I think I'll feel it in my joints tomorrow morning (sadly, this was my first time out this year), but it was definitely worth it. What a glorious way to spend the afternoon of a day of rest, and to be able to delight in the sheer beauty of God's winter creation. My only regret is not having my own stick. Next time I will have a right-handed shooting stick so that I can actually play decently.

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

I apologize for not updating as frequently in the last little while. I really don't want to become a person who goes a month or so without blogging, unless there is a valid reason. Having said that, I didn't have a whole lot to mention here.

All I will say is that in the past five to seven days, there have been a few significant things that have gone on in my life, and while I can't totally understand or truly appreciate the full significance of them, I can say that I am completely humbled by God and how he works.

UNITED

If Hillsong United ever made a "Best Hits" live album, it should include the following:

1- Salvation is Here
2- Now That You're Near
3- God is Great
4- Everyday
5- My God
6- King of Majesty
7- Free
8- The Stand
9- All...
10- To the Ends of the Earth
11- 'Til I See You
12- Consuming Fire
13- Evermore
14- My Best Friend
15- Glory
16- One Way
17- God is Moving
18- Most High
19- Only One
20- All About You

I'll be honest, I haven't listened to their most recent album, United We Stand, enough to offer much of an opinion.
Apparently United is releasing a new album, entitled All of the Above, coming this March.

SATURDAY MORNING MUSINGS - THE GOOD SHEPHERD

I remember as a kid always treating every Saturday morning as a huge deal. I had all kinds of energy, and would usually be up nice and early to watch cartoons with my sisters, or (even better) play Nintendo/Sega Genesis- we weren't allowed to play video games during the week, so Saturday morning was usually full of Super Mario Brothers or Sonic the Hedgehog. It seems these days, I take my sweet time in the morning on Saturday, unless I have to be somewhere. The energy is pretty much lacking. I sleep in without setting an alarm, and then I usually stay around in bed to read for a while after waking up. Everyone needs to remember that "waking up" and "getting up" are two entirely different things.

I had an interesting evening last night. Me and John went to see The Good Shepherd, starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Robert DeNiro and others. It was long, but there were some good performances- certainly an interesting directing style by DeNiro. It might not be the movie for you if you're not into government stuff, behind-closed-doors stories.

I was just struck by how much people will sacrifice in the name of power. Watching the life of Edward Wilson (played by Damon), I was reminded that so many people chase after the job and the authority that they desire so badly, and it leaves them empty and unsatisfied. One of the CIA men in the movie told Wilson,

"you won't be able to trust anyone, and you won't have any friends."

And it was so true. Wilson wasn't able to even confide his fears and dreams to his wife, and it spoiled their marriage. I was reminded of why I do what I do, to help change the lives of those who will make the powerful decisions that affect the world, to provide them with something that truly will satisfy.

After the movie me and John met up with Germiko and we hung out at the Gorsebrook for a bit to watch some bands play. On my way home, I was almost at my place when I saw a couple of girls who were being incredibly loud and as I got closer to them I realized that they were incredibly drunk. I was going to quietly retire into my place but then I realized that these girls were a) pretty much lost, and b) bringing a lot of noise to my nice, quiet, peaceful neighbourhood. I said a quick prayer asking that nothing sketch would happen, and approached the girls to offer them some help.

They asked me if I knew where Mike Cameron's house was. I figured they'd be too drunk to understand that Mike Cameron is an outfielder for the San Diego Padres, and that he probably lives in California (actually, I doubt that they would have cared even if they weren't drunk). I offered to help them get back to Dal to make sure they made it there safely, but they were trying to get to some bar. So I offered to walk with them to a main road where they could get a cab, but I kept strongly encouraging them to head back to Dal. In the end, they got a cab and headed off to the bar.

In some ways I wish I had been more firm and adamant that they head back to res to sleep it off, but I hope that in some small way, God might have used my willingness to help them to reveal Himself to them, in spite of their drunkenness. My heart totally went out to these two girls, simply seeing how pretty much harassed and helpless they were- definitely lacking a good shepherd. I was again reminded of why I do what I do. Seeing God work in students' lives and seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel is such an amazing thing.

It just hurts sometimes to see the other side of things, whether that's a "powerful" CIA man who has no joy in his life, or two first-years who think that being drunk on a Friday night is the most satisfying thing out there. I wonder how much more it hurts the Lord.

AND BACK

I return to the blog after a month's hiatus. I really didn't spend a lot of time on the Internet in December, and being at home meant a slower connection, and therefore too much time would be wasted if I was to try to blog. But it was a good month at home and good to see so many people that I love.

And it's 2007 now! I'm sure I'll have stories and thoughts before long. 2007 should be an exciting, challenging, and amazing year- I'm pumped to see what God has in store at this stage in my life!