Velvet Elvis

Upon reading a post about this book (Velveet Elvis by Rob Bell) by a fellow blogger, i decided to pick the book up and read it as well. It was a wonderful read and I was challenged in many ways and it certainly set me to thinking. A lot of good poitns and good reminders of things I have long forgotten.

And so, being true to what I said before, as I finish books, I will share a bit about what I've been learning with them. This one I could share something from every chapter, but I will leave you with one quote. Basically he's talking about how if you're a Christian, it will overflow into evey area of your life and everything becomes sacred.

"My understanding is that to be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion. We throw ourselves into our work because everything is sacred. I love how Paul put it in Colossians: 'Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.' He is teaching people to live as Christians, and then whatever they do will be sacred, holy work....This is why it is impossible for a Christian to have a secular job. If you follow Jesus and you are doing what you do in his name, then it is no longer seculr work; it's sacred. You are there; God is there. The difference is our awareness."

shucks

I had something amazing to write on my blog and it was revolutionary and interesting. But alas I have forgotten it (must have been that good, eh?) I've been sick and I hear constant thumping in my head. My nose is scabbed and cut because I've been blowing it so much and my throat isn't doing so well. I think I might have a sinus infection because it hurts to breathe through my nose. oh, and i have an eye infection like pink eye I guess and have a lot of stuff flowing from my eye (it's glued shut every morning.) And no, this wasn't the amazingly interesting and fascinating stuff I was going to tell you.... this is just for your information. haha. Have an awesome weekend!

character conflict

There's a relationship in my life that is sometimes awkward and i have often wondered why i can't freely talk to this person... Tonight I realized that I think it's because they don't "get" my sense of humor or my silliness perhaps. And that is largely a part of how I express myself, so if people don't react to it, or receive it I become someone else I guess. It was interesting for me to see this. The next question then is, 'do i hide behind humor?' I don't think so, but maybe. Does anybody reading this think I do? don't be afraid to be honest here. I'd appreciate it.. Hmm.. I will think further on this. (By the way the person this concerns wouldn't be reading this, so no worries-it's not you!)

oh the joys of starbucks!

So I had my first day of work at Starbucks today and loved it! it was a lot of reading and so on, and it's a lot of info, but I"m really excited to work there and yah.. Getting three drinks while I worked was quite nice as well!! i got to make two drinks today as practise and that was also quite enjoyable. I'm looking forward to being able to get in there and know everything. :)

One of Starbucks mission statements is to create enthusiastically satisfied customers. I think I saw those words like fifty times today in my training manual. But anyway, I love how much they want you to connect with the customers and how that's one of their main values. It's exciting to work somewhere that really encourages something I love doing!!

So yay for Starbucks!! I have always wondered where their logo comes from and what it symbolizes.. Interesting. Does anybody know or care to guess?

commenting

I enjoy getting all your comments and so thank you for them. I realize though that a lot of my readers aren't part of blogger and most probably think they can't comment on my blog, but you can!! When commenting you just need to click on anonymous or other and then it will let you comment without being a part of blogger! So then, happy commenting! I look forward to hearing from you!

Through Painted Deserts

I've decided that since I'm on 'Operation: Read all my books', that I would write out a few of my thoughts about each one once I finish reading them.

I just finished reading 'Through Painted Deserts' by Donald Miller and thorougly enjoyed it. It's written on a road trip that was taken across the States. It was enjoyable to read about the adventures they had during the travel but also the thoughts that were thought and lessons that were learned about the simplicity of life and enjoying it. I want to write out a quote that really made me think-let me know what you think about it.

"Life is not a story about me, but it is being told to me, and I can be glad of that. I think that is the why of life and, in fact, the why of this ancient faith I am caught up in: to enjoy God. The stars were created to dazzle us, like a love letter...Relationships between men and women indicate something of the nauture of God-that he is relational, that He feels love and loss. It's all metaphor, and the story is about us; it's about all of us who God made, and God Himself, just enjoying each other. It strikes me how far the commercials are from this reality, how deadly they are perhaps. Months ago I would have told you life was about doing, about jumping through religious hoops, about impressing other people, and my actiosn would have told you this is done by buying possessions or keeping a good image or going to church. I don't believe that anymore. I think we are supposed to stand in deserts and marvel at how the sun rises. I think we are supposed to sleep in meadows and watch stars dart across space and time. I think we are supposed to love our friends and introduce people to the story, to the peaceful, calming why of life. I think life is spirituality."

So there you have it. A thought from the book I just read. About the simplicity of life and enjoying God our Creator rather than getting caught up in the rat race of this world.

a few very long days

So I am now back from Quebec and am tired! it was a great time and I've been learning lots from it. Today was such a long day! With storms, delays and standby, the five hours it takes to fly from Montreal to Vancouver took me 18 hours!! And so I've been up since 2 am! Crazy! But I had fun in the Calgary airport with Jenn's sister. Good times. Glad to be home though. I feel different though, weird seeing that I've only been gone a week and a half. Yet it seems my perspectives have changed even more.

The other really long day I had was the snowy/slushy day when I crashed my rental car and later found out that it actually wasn't insured. oops. got a nice (and expensive i might add) tow truck ride into Montreal to drop the car off at the rental place and now I await the dreadful news of how much it will cost!!

And now sleep awaits me as I have to open at work tomorrow! Crazy times!!

Carnaval!

This past weekend a lifelong dream came true as i got to go to Le Carnaval in Quebec City! It was good, even though I froze to death in the -25 degree weather! It's nice to be back in Quebec for a bit and was such a blessing from the Lord how I got here. It's cold though! I think I went through a thirty degree difference! So it's been really good to see old friends and just fellowship and enjoy one another's company. not sure when I'll go home yet... Need to book a ticket! Oh! And I got a job at starbucks!! YAY! I start next monday! So i guess i will be home before then! Will write more of an update when I get home, but this is all for now!

yay!

so i am going to quebec on either wednesday or thursday! yay! i'm so excited! I'm glad it's all last minute, otherwise I dont' think I'd be able to handle the excitement! also i have my "third" interview at starbucks tomorrow! haha.. at least i get three free drinks! yay for me!

the thing i've been thinking much about of late is 2 Corinthians 3:18 (read it if you want to see what it is). i was reading a book and the thing it said was that first we must behold God and His glory. And in beholding Him we begin to reflect Him. :)

the craziness of life!

In the last few days I feel like so much has happened and in the next week and a half everything seems crazy and unreal! But I have a good God who is faithful and the opportunities He's been bringing up in my life are amazing! And the favor He gives me with others. Day by day it's so exciting to see how amidst it all, as I'm open to it, how He's changing me so much. Little by little! We do serve a great God and as we serve Him with get to live the adventure!! :)