Trip

Okay, so all excited because this weekend Dave and I are going on our first weekend trip together. That's right and when I tell you where it is you'll be like; who cares, but truely, it is exciting.

We are going to Camrose, Alberta.

What's in Camrose? you ask.

My friend Amber. I would answer. You must all remember Amber:

We haven't seen eachother since last summer when she sadly moved away....To Camrose. And now, Dave and I are going to spend the weekend with her and get away. I'm excited...I think he's excited so yay!

Know Thyself

I'm twenty one years old and I listen to Bach while drinking green tea and knitting. I enjoy Bach; his melodies are much sweeter than those of Beethoven or Motzart and I'm twenty one and I understand that. I'm twenty one and I enjoy homemaking. My napkins are homemade; all my furniture matches. I have a flower garden that I love to work in and I cook. This morning I made breakfast for Dave and I. I'm twenty one and breakfast for two included an assortment of homemade crepes, pancakes, orange/pineapple pancake syrup, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns and breakfast puffs. I'm not writing this to brag, honestly, because a lot of people wouldn't be happy with what I do. I'm writing this because I'm twenty one and I know myself. I know what I like and don't like and I love who I am. I'm twenty one and I'm a woman who enjoys green tea and Bach.

Merry Christmas, One and All!

Hey guys, sorry for now posting for almost a month...deepest apologies and still, nothing really relevant but I wanted to tell you all to have an incredibly Merry Christmas and can't wait to see what happens to us all in the New Year! I'm excited for a whole bunch of new stuff that we never saw coming and I hope everyone gets exactly what they want. I love you tons and Happy Holidays!

Bragging

Okay, so last Friday, was Dave and my one month anniversary...something I had known but wasn't prepared to make a big deal because, hey, been there done that. But it still is something when you love someone and so, Dave, the ever amazement of my life, created a scrapbook for me for that day. He came by my work and handed me this scrapbook with pictures he had arranged from our Halloween and Tour of the City photos we had taken, backed with silver and gold paper and at the end, a pipecleaner tulip and a poem. He is so good to me you guys, you have no idea. And so, in the spirit of bragging, I made a collage of the book from front cover to end cover and a special picture of the poem he wrote me. Enjoy.

Lovers

Have you ever thought of the comparison between us, God's children, and Hosea's wife, the adulteress? Let me begin with scripture:

'When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord.'" Hosea 1:2.

If you look at the book of Hosea, he was told to marry Gomer, an adulterous woman. Night after night, she would go to the beds of her lovers, wear their jewellery and indulge herself in false idols. God tells Hosea to rebuke her and punish her soundly which he does, but then, God does something tremendous, 'The Lord said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."' Hosea 3:1.

And I realize that it's hard to fathom this kind of love, even if we know it. You all will read this little paragraph and know it but not really understand it to its full potential which we never can do because we, as humans, aren't really capable of it. So, I encourage you to do a small exercise for me to get a good idea. I'm going to use a boyfriend/girlfriend scenario because I am well aware that most who read my blog have known insane love from a significant other as well as expressed it.

Think hard; how do you love that person? Is it so great that the thought of never having them around makes your heart weep with wanting, does seeing them make you smile without thought, or captures your breath? Does their kiss ignite something inside you that you can't quite place even though it vibrates through your entire body? If you answered yes, then take comfort in this, so did God! He proclaims to be our bride groom and he does such an impeccable job of it! In fact, multipy your love by at least one hundred and that might, just bight be equal to God's love for you and me.

I realize that you may have though that I was talking about redemption for a bit, but no, I'm only talking about love. Plain and simple, is God's undying and perfect love. The entire book, Song of Songs is full of his example and written is such poetry, that how can we not read it and fall in love with God?

He says, 'Like a lily among thorns, is my darling among the maidens.' Song of Songs 2:2. Isn't that exquisite? We're the lily among the thorns! If your significant other had said that to us, would we not blush or cry or do something equally emotional? When I think of God speaking that to me like a lover, I don't blush per say, but I get shivers all over. It's amazing.

'Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon; your mouth is lovely. Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate. Your neck is like the tower of David, built with elegance, on it hang a thousand shields of warriors.' Song of Songs 4:3&4.

I think that if we make up our minds to accomplish one goal with God this week, it is to look at him as our lover; the lover of our soul. Speak to him as such and love him as such and see what a difference that makes. I can't wait to hear what you all have learned from seeing Jesus as your bride groom. God Bless.

Thoughts

Hey darlings! I realize that Tina did a post similar to this but I'm going to post this way anyways! I know you have all had a time when God has been put on the back burner and you haven't talked to him in what seems like years and for those of us who are in love with him, it is way too long. Well, I started a written prayer to him at work today and I came to this: "You're so patient and awesome! Thank you formost for that! I'm so glad I have you. And it's dumb that I haven't talked to you because I'm thankful for so many things...
1)You
2)Dave; I love him so much! Thank you for bringing this amazing boy into my life!
3)My wonderful job; I actually really enjoy it and it pays all the bills!
4)My house; I have a place of my own that's safe and comfortable
5)My friends; not many people have the love and encouragement that I do
6)My family; see number five reason
7)My cats; they make me happy and my world would be empty without them

Lord, I thank you for all my life was, is, and is yet to be. I wouldn't trade places with anyone!"

So, anyways, y'all, I leave you with that and take a peak at Philippeans Chapter 3. I love you all and have a blessed day!

For Crying Out Loud
-Meatloaf
I was lost till you were found
But I never knew how far down
I was falling
Before I reached the bottom
I was cold and you were fire
And I never knew how the pyre
Could be burning
On the edge of the ice field

And the now chilly California wind
Is blowing down our bodies again
And we're sinking deeper and deeper into the chilly California sand
Oh I know you belong inside my aching heart
And can't you see my faded Levis bursting apart
And don't you hear me crying:
"Oh Babe, don't go"
And don't you hear me screaming:
"How was I to know?"

I'm in the middle of nowhere
Near the end of the line
But there's a border to somewhere waiting
And there's a tankful of time
Oh give me just another moment to see the light of the day

And take me to another land where I don't have to stay
And I'm gonna need somebody to make me feel like you do
And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes,
Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love you

I was damned and you were saved
And I never knew how enslaved
I was kneeling
In the chains of my master

I could laugh but you could cry
And I never knew just how high
I was flying
Ah, with you right above me

I'm in the middle of nowhere
Near the end of the line
But there's a border to somewhere waiting
And there's a tankful of time
Oh give me just another moment to see the light of the day
And take me to another land where I don't have to stay

And I'm gonna need somebody to make me feel like you do
And I will receive somebody with open arms, open eyes,
Open up the sky and let the planet that I love shine through

For crying out loud
You know I love you
For crying out loud
You know I love your
For crying out loud
You know I love you

For taking in the rain when I'm feeling so dry
For giving me the answers when I'm asking you why
And my oh my
For that I thank you

For taking in the sun when I'm feeling so cold
For giving me a child when my body is old
And don't you know
For that I need you

For coming to my room when you know I'm alone
For finding me a highway and driving me home
And you gotta know
For that I serve you

For pulling me away when I'm starting to fall
For revving me up when I'm starting to stall
And all in all
For that I want you

For taking and for giving and for playing the game
For praying for my future in the days that remain
Oh Lord
For that I hold you

Ah but most of all
For cryin' out loud
For that I love you
Ah but most of all
For cryin' out loud
For that I love you
Ah but most of all
For cryin' out loud
For that I love you
When you're crying out loud
You know I love you

Hello my darlings! Okay, so I have very little to say; in fact, hardly anything important. But....I was looking through my boyfriends blog and found it particularily interesting...he has a really different way with words and some of you may find it interesting. Plus, those of you who are curious about my new found love may find some sort of insight into his pysche. Or just be amused. Anyways, here's his link. Enjoy, my darlings. www.slippingthestream.blogspot.com.

Yay!

So, as most of you know, I have been in the habit of buying new furniture, ect, so here is a lovely picture of my apartment, post new stuff.

My Two Fave Things: Prism and my new boyfriend

Yes, indeed y'all. I've seen Prism yet again and they were indeed fabulous. I even snagged Steve-O's guitar pic, hoorah. And I went with me darling boyfriend Dave...that's right ladies and gents, Al's in love. Big time and I guess it's only fair that there are pictures involved.

So, here is Dave himself...the boy who stole my heart.

Yes, yes...and you couldn't get away without a picture of kissing

And here is us actually watching the concert and finally...

A picture of Al Harlow from Prism in his wicked awesome jacket

Holy Crap

So, life goes on as it always does, one thing leading to another; random events turning into something substantial...usually before we realize it. But I've been realizing a substantial event was coming for awhile.

At the beginning of September, when church started anew for the the fall, I sat alone in my pew...everyone that I knew still holding on to the last bit of summer and abandoning the service for a vacation. A kid I'd never seen before sat down at the far side of the pew. I smiled, he smiled; and that was that.

Then, during an intermission we happened to be at the same booth and he had mistaken me for someone I knew so I remedied that and introduced myself and we went along our merry little ways.

Through time, and Jerrah and my constant need to make the new youth feel welcome, we started an out-to-lunch get-together after church to which this guy from the pew (Dave) was always invited and we became friends due to our love of doing our hair and our constant sarcasm. We'd always sit together in the pew with everyone else, making an attempt not too annoy them too much with our bantering.

Then, on Thanksgiving Sunday, when no one else could make it for lunch, we decided to go by ourselves and we had fun. There was no conversation we couldn't touch, no awkward silence. We both ate way too much. And at the end of the meal when the waitress asked if we'd like one check or two, I said two and she went away.

Dave laughed, "I was actually thinking about asking you out, so I should have said together."

I smiled, "Well, I would have said 'yes', so next time, you can pay when we both know it's a date."

That Wednesday when I got home from work, I had a message on my machine from him asking me if I was free Saturday. I was not. But I phoned him and we decided that Tuesday we'd go out on an actual date.

On Sunday, we carried on our tradition of sitting in the pew, bantering, neither one of us letting on that we may be seeing eachother outside of church relations because, come one, no one really needs to know. That week at church was harvest festival, hence, a large thanksgiving dinner afterwards, which us and dear Amy attended. Amy left early and since I had some time to kill before work, we went for a walk.

Then, six o'clock pm came yesterday and he knocked on my door. Instantaneoulsy, I was a nervous wreck. We got along great as friends but a date? Were we insane?

We went out to the car and I was a good girl, I let him open the door for me (I have a habit of being a little bit too independent woman) and he noticed because he knows this about me and strangely enough finds it attractive. Keep in mind, I had no idea what we were doing for our date.

"I know I said I don't like dinner dates," he said, "But I was thinking to make it more interesting, we go to a different restaurant for each part of the meal."

I said that idea sounded great, so we went to a place called Mocha Cabana's for appetizers (a swanky little coffee house in the downtown). We ordered Bruchetta and sat and talked for a long time. Then, we decided if we wanted to hit everywhere else in time to eat, we'd better go. I decided on the next place; my fave place called 'Fire'. A classy club/restuarant. We had drinks (A Tom Collins and a White Russian). He had the 'Fire and Ice Wrap' and I had the 'Calamari Wrap'. Once again, we sat and talked for a long while before deciding to go for the final and most important stop...dessert.

Outside, as we were walking to the car, he stopped me and faced me.

"I feel so comfortable with you." he said and then kissed me. And it was good.

Then, we headed to a place called 'Yoyo's' for gilato but it was closed so I picked 'The Cheesecake Cafe' instead. He had the 'Swiss Almond Cheesecake' and I had the 'White Chocolate Raspberry'. We talked about all important things like breasts and my plugs and getting married (but not to eachother, don't worry).

Then, at ten thirty-ish, before they closed, we decided that neither of us wanted the date to end so we decided to drive around. The drive eventually took us to a little dirt pull-out outside of town where some making-out ensued which was a little unexpected and I teased him that he had planned on it and knew there was a dirt road out here. And then we cuddled in the dark of the car, soft music playing, watching the semis roll by until about twelve thirty. He drove me home, walked me to my door and kissed me goodnight and then I called my sister and blabbed all about it. Hoorah.

Important Events; 2002-Present

February 18th, 2002: Grandpa Bullock passed away.
February 21st, 2002: Grandpa's Memorial
February 22nd, 2002: The SSS see Wave in concert
April 26th, 2002: Met Gary Doer and Catrina LeMay Doan
May 2nd and 3rd, 2002: Clair Witch II was filmed.
May 14th, 2002: Escorted Sarah to the hospital when 'Timmy II' was removed.
May 18th and 19th: Grandpa's Wake on Heart Hill (now lovingly known as 'Jack's Place')
June 8th, 2002: The 'Cheese' sleepover takes place.
June 28th, 2002: Mrs. Geekie takes the SSS to see 'Hamlet' in Shakespeare in the Ruins
July 15th, 2002: Janna meets Cole Bullock
July 16th, 2002: Survivor, Act II begins
July 18th, 2002: Survivor is hit by a tornado leaving the SSS wet and cold and without clothes
September 7th, 2002: Chad and Kelly get married in Moose Jaw
September 13th, 2002: Young and the Genderless II comes into existance
September 28th, 2002: Mom calls...she's dating a man named Jim
October 3rd, 2002: The SSS sees Jake and Starfield in concert
October 13th, 2002: Met Jim for the first time
October 31st, 2002: Halloween and the SSS dress up as the Archie Gang
November 29th, 2002: Volleyball Provincials in Grandview...Cass kisses Courtney.
February 12th, 2003: Janna turns Sweet Sixteen
March 23rd, 2003: Sarah turns Sweet Sixteen
April 24th, 2003: Lip Sync for Spirit Week, the SSS wins for their N'Sync set.
May 9th, 2003: Al's last highschool dance in Strathclair
May 22nd, 2003: Al sees Romeo and Juliet in Shakespear in the Ruins
May 30th, 2003: Al's last highschool dance in Shoal Lake
June 26th, 2003: Al graduates highschool.
June 28th, 2003: Al cuts off her hair
August 18th, 2003: Suvivor, Act III begins
August 21st, 2003: Jeffery Pond ensues
August 23rd, 2003: The SSS attend Marty Thomas and Tracey Pederson's wedding
August 28th, 2003: The 'sperm panties' come into existance...thank you Sarah!
September 3rd, 2003: The SSS is divided in half as Cass and Al leave for Coleman, AB
September 5th, 2003: Cass begins first day in her new highschool.
September 18th, 2003: Cassie's Sweet Sixteen
September 22nd, 2003: Al begins first job
December 12th, 2003: Al's first job comes to a close
January 3rd, 2004: Al gets three more holes in her ears bringing the total to eight.
February 4th, 2004: Al gets her drivers licence
February 26th, 2004: Al becomes a brunette
March 4th, 2004: Al starts pet-sitting job for Jan Hodgeson
March 27th, 2004: Dad comes to visit for a few days
April 11th, 2004: Cass and Al go with two other youth and discover YWAM
April 30th, 2004: Cass and Al go to Manitoba to see family and friends
May 5th, 2004: Cass and Al return to Coleman
May 11th, 2004: Al gets her first car
May 17th, 2004: Al begins second job
May 27th, 2004: Teisha is given away
May 31st, 2004: Teisha is returned
June 4th and 5th 2004: The youth group camp at Chinook and have a ritual burning of personal garbage
June 7th, 2004: Tampa Bay Lightening wins the Stanley Cup
June 13th, 2004: Cass shaves her head
June 14th, 2004: Al ends her second job
July 4th, 2004: Brandy gets baptised and Al meets Cheex (aka Dave) for the first time.
July 9th, 10th, and 11th, 2004: The Hardway
July 24th, 2004: The all-nighter takes place with Al, Cass, Ryan and Cheex
July 31st, 2004: Al and Dave get together
August 16th, 2004: Al starts third job
September 1st, 2004: Al ends third job
September 4th, 2004: Al has her first kiss
September 18th, 2004: Al throws Cass a surprise party
September 26th, 2004: Al goes to Lethbridge for Dave
October 8th, 2004: Al meets Dan Charland and Keira Stinson for the first time (not knowing, they'd one day room with her)
October 22nd, 2004: Al starts fourth job at the kennel.
October 25th, 2004: Al recieves a promise ring from Dave
November 1st, 2004: Al and Dave adopt Oscar
November 5th, 2004: Al begins apartment searching
November 19th, 2004: Al moves into her new apartment
December 3rd, 2004: Dan and Keira move into the spare bedroom of Al's apartment
December 11th, 2004: Al and Dave attend the Ducan Christmas Party
January 15th, 2005: Al and Dave celebrate their six month anniversary
February 1st 2005: Keira and Dan move out
March 2nd, 2005: Al and Dave visit his psychiatrist....together
March 24th, 2005: Al and Dave discuss the possiblility of breaking up...but decide they can't
April 9th, 2005: Al meets Dennis
May 2nd, 2005: Al starts massage therapy school and Dave and Al adopt Nite
May 9th, 2005: Dave and Al break up..for real this time.
May 13th, 2005: Cassie graduates highschool
May 30th, 2005: Al talks to Dave on the phone
June 6th, 2005: Al sees Dave for the last time
July 12th, 2005: Al pierces nose
July 19th, 2005: Saw Prism in concert
July 25th, 2005: Al goes to Dr. for pap and breast exam, where a lump is found in her right breast
August 2nd, 2005: An ultrasound is done on her breast and comes up clean
August 20th, 2005: Al gets her second car
September 10th, 2005: Al throws yet another surprise party for Cass and Cass prepares to go to Eagles Nest for YWAM
September 28th, 2005: Al and Amber meet and become friends instantly
October 24th, 2005: Al sees Alice Cooper in concert
October 29th, 2005: Al attends her first adult Halloween party dressed as a diamond dog
November 25th, 2005: Al ends fourth job
December 5th, 2005: Al and her mom get their belly button's pierced
December 9th, 2005: Al goes to the Cadaver Lab in Calgary
December 13th, 2005: Al adopts Peony
December 17th, 2005: Al, mom and Jim attend the Nutcracker ballet in Calgary
December 30th, 2005: Al puts yet one more hole in her ear bringing the total to nine
January 14th, 2006: Nite dies in a tragic accident
February 7th, 2006: Cass returns home
March 5th, 2006: Al shaves her head
March 12th, 2006: Amber and Al start attending College Drive Church
March 15th, 2006: Cass gets lip pierced
March 31st, 2006: Dennis makes full parole
April 29th, 2006: Al graduates from massage therapy
May 22nd, 2006: Calmo Mao comes into existance
June 8th, 2006: Amber leaves Lethbridge and her and Al see eachother for the last time
June 11th, 2006: Al gets baptised
June 18th, 2006: Al and Cass write and record a song together
June 21st, 2006: Al starts fifth job
July 14th, 2006: Al ends fifth job
July 18th, 2006: Al starts sixth job
July 28th, 2006: Al meets Matt
August 5th, 2006: Al and Cass see Prism in concert
August 10th, 2006: Al gets tongue pierced, bringing her total to twelve
August 12th, 2006: Dad comes again for a visit
October 3rd, 2006: Al agrees to see Nick from the hotel; they go for breakfast
October 4th, 2006: Al decides that Nick isn't her type
Present time: Al is still at her sixth job at the Pepper Tree and is currently reading a library book entitled 'Usher's Passing'. Peace out.

Bible Facts from Fiction

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine the other day about the bible and he was bound and determined that it was indeed, just a good story book; that there was no way most of that stuff was real. Well, I agree that a lot of it may be exaggerated and not quite in perspective due to the fact that it was written by man who, as we know, often get things wrong. So, to prove my friend wrong (which I like to do), I researched five events in the bible that seem extremely fictional but in fact, may have historical merit backed up by science. And keep in mind, I’m not by any means saying that these were not miracles. I believe that they were indeed miracles; manipulations of nature by God.
Story Number One:
“But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them; and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots and upon his horsemen…And Moses stretched outhi hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided.” Exodus 14:16-21
Fact Number One:
Russian scientist Volzinger determined that if a strong wind blew at 30 meters per second over a shallow reef, then yes, it could have blown that reef dry. He also calculated it would have taken the fleeing Jews about four hours to make their crossing. Some 3,500 years ago, the reef was much closer to the surface, Mr. Volzinger said. He set about calculating how much wind speed would have been needed to blow the water from the formation at low tide, how long the area would stay dry and how quickly the seas would come crashing back. "It would take the Jews — there were 600,000 of them — four hours to cross the 7-kilometer reef that runs from one coast to another. Then, in a half-hour, the waters would come back."

(http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040122-113947-8632r.htm).

Story Number Two:

“Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Jedaea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jew? For we have seen his star in the east, are come to worship him…When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew 2:1-10
Fact Number Two
Michael Molnar concluded that the star was actually a double eclipse of Jupiter roughly 2,000 years ago.
The former Rutgers University researcher came up with the idea while studying a symbolic star map on an ancient Roman empire coin from Syria, which depicts Aries the ram and other celestial symbols.
Molnar, deducing that Aries was the sign of the Jews, figured that ancient astrologers would have searched that constellation for a sign of a savior of the kingdom of Judea.
Computer modeling backed up his claim. But Molnar lacked historical proof until now, he said.
The Mathesis, a book written in 334 A.D. by Firmicus Maternus, an astrologer of Constantine the Great, described an astrological event involving an eclipse of Jupiter by the moon in Aries, and said that it signified the birth of a divine king.
"Maternus did not mention Jesus' name," Molnar said. "But Roman astrology was a popular craze at the time and everyone reading the book would have known the reference was to Jesus and that the astrological event was the star of Bethlehem."

(http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/12/27/star.coverup/index.html).
Story Number Three:
“For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and fory nights; and every living substance that have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth….And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth…And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.” Genesis 7:4-24
Fact Number Three:
Columbia University researchers William Ryan and Walter Pittman speculated in their 1997 book "Noah's Flood" that when the European glaciers melted, about 7,000 years ago, the Mediterranean Sea overflowed into what was then a smaller freshwater lake to create the Black Sea.
Last year Ballard found indications of an ancient coastline miles out from the current Black Sea coast. The new discovery provides evidence that people once lived in that now inundated region.
Ballard, a National Geographic Society explorer in residence, said he studied shells found along the ancient coastline and found two types. One group is an extinct type of freshwater shell, while the second is from saltwater shellfish.
The saltwater shells date from the present back 6,500 years, while the freshwater shells all date to 7,000 years ago and older.
"So we know that there was a sudden and dramatic change from a freshwater lake to a saltwater sea 7,000 years ago," he said Tuesday.
"And we know that as a result of that flood a vast amount of land went under water.
"And we now know that land was inhabited. What we don't know is who these people are, we don't know how broad their settlements were ... but we're expanding our studies to try to determine that."
Ballard said his team, using remote-controlled underwater vessels with cameras, located a former river valley beneath the sea, and in the valley was the collapsed structure. Remains include preserved wooden beams that were worked by hand.
The structure was "clearly built by humans," and was characteristic of stone-age structures built 7,000 years ago in the interior of Turkey, Ballard said. It contained a stone chisel and two other stone tools with holes drilled through them, he said. (http://archives.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/09/13/great.flood.finds.ap/)
Story Number Four:
“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights….Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly…And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon dry land.” Jonah 1:17 and 2:1-10
Fact Number Four:
There is no doubt that there are sea creatures with jaws large enough to swallow a man whole and 'belly' is a fairly vague term in English, let alone in ancient Hebrew, so if Jonah was swallowed by a creature such as a sperm whale, he might have been in the great laryngeal pouch. There is an oft-quoted story concerning a certain James Bartley, when he was a harpooner on the whale-ship Star of the East, in 1891, under the command of Captain Killam, near the Falkland Islands. In the course of a whale hunt, Bartley fell into the sea and disappeared. The whale was killed and the next day, when the sailors cut it open, they were amazed to find Bartley still alive in the whale's stomach. He was revived and in time recovered from his experience. The report says, 'During his sojourn in the whale's stomach Bartley's skin, where exposed to the action of the gastric juice, underwent a striking change. His face, neck, and hands were bleached to a deadly whiteness, and took on the appearance of parchment. Bartley affirms that he would probably have lived inside his house of flesh until he starved, for he lost his senses through fright and not from lack of air.’ Also, the ancient Hebrews idiomatically counted a part of a day as a whole day, so that 'three days and three nights' could have been as short as 38 hours.

(http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i2/jonah.asp)
*Prepare yourself; this last one is a doozy…it’s for those of you who have no other way to explain such a miracle!
Story Number Five:
“And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away…And in the fourth watch of the night Juses went unto them, walking on the sea.” Matthew 14:22-25
Fact Number Five:
The study, which examines a combination of favorable water and environmental conditions, proposes that Jesus could have walked on an isolated patch of floating ice on what is now known as Lake Kinneret in northern Israel.
Looking at temperature records of the Mediterranean Sea surface and using analytical ice and statistical models, scientists considered a small section of the cold freshwater surface of the lake. The area studied, about 10,000 square feet (930 square meters), was near salty springs that empty into it. Nof figures that in the last 120 centuries, the odds of such conditions on the low-latitude Lake Kinneret are most likely 1-in-1,000. But during the time period when Jesus lived, such “springs ice” may have formed once every 30 to 60 years.
Such floating ice in the unfrozen waters of the lake would be hard to spot, especially if rain had smoothed its surface.

(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12152740/)

Redemption

How many of us can say we haven't sinned? I don't think anyone on earth can claim that perfection. And sometimes our transgressions are huge; so huge that we wish we could sever that part of us away. We wish that God would appear right before you and tell you that you are forgiven and not to worry. I am going to tell you that this wish is a reality.

Let's start at the beginning. Sin exists because of a lovely thing called 'temptation.' All the way back to the first sin when the serpant tempted Eve to eat from the Tree. This act has been in our human nature ever since;

'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptaion. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.' Matthew 26:41

This passage also reminds us to pray before hand so as to avoid temptaion; a saving grace we often don't use. I have learned that if you do indeed pray mightily to be saved from temptaion, your prayers will be answered; Even if it's because you were just busy praying.

I think often times why we don't is because we let our bodies be stronger than our spirits. Another common habit of human nature.

Jesus was tempted by Satan also. Let's look at Luke, Chapter 4:

'Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit to the desert where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."

Jesus answered, "It is written. 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So, if you worship me, it will all be yours."

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord you God and serve him only.'"

The devil led him to Jeruselem and had him stand on the highest point of hte temple. "If you are the Sond of God, " he said, "throw yourself down from here. For it is written:

He will command his angels

concerning you

to guard you carefully;

they will lift yoiu up in their hands

so that you will not strike your foot

against a stone.

Juses answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'

Whe the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time."

Jesus fought away temptaion just showing us how capable we are of doing the same. After all, at that time, Jesus was just a man like all of us.

Here is one of my favourite verses regarding the subject of temptation:

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up to it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.

And don't let these words discourage yoiu. I realize that we don't take the way out he provides us with every time. And the cool part is, God knows that that would happen! And so it is written:

"-maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:7.

And that's why Jesus died on the cross! He was beaten ruthlessly and left to die on a piece of wood because we make such stuped mistakes. God loves us that much!

"This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 25:28.

And it's even simpler than that:

"All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him recieves forgiveness of sins through his name." Aacts 10:43.

Now, I know you're thinking, 'how can it be that easy?' It's that easy because not only does God love us that much, he also knows how unforgiving we can be on ourselves. Because even when he's moved past it, we're still angry at ourselves. And, as always, he gives us a passage for this also:

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers, I don not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phillippians 3:12-14.

If God can forgive some of the horrible things we do, surely we can also forgive ourselves and more importantly, forgive others; our brothers and sisters in Christ. I encourage yoiu all, if yoiu have someone in you life (including yourself) that youhave not yet forgive, please do so now. God already has. God bless!

Titled: Jesus Busting a Gut

I was talking to my friend Matt the other day and I had been painting and he was like "Can you make me a picture?" I asked him what he wanted and he said he wanted a picture of Jesus just cracking up because you never saw him laughing; he always looked sad and tortured and he just didn't think that was Jesus' style. So, here is my picture of Jesus how I like to think of him.

Rejoicing in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again. Rejoice!

Philippeans 4:4

This verse is so simple....I love it. Just think about it; whenever you are having a bad day, even the worst day of your life, if you rejoice in the Lord and say out loud 'Father, I love you, you're awesome!', your day will seem to get a little brighter. That is his little miracle for you because all he wants is your unconditional love and if you can love him and rejoice in his name even on your crappiest days, he'll smile at you.

I had a crappy day at work yesterday and all that lovely stuff and I got home and went to bed tired and stressed and confused. When I woke up, I felt awful because I hadn't sat down with my Father and hashed out my day. So, this morning, I did and he showed me this verse and as I thought about it, it dawned on me. So, what you had a bad day? You're alive: REJOICE!

So, I have to ask you guys: What makes you rejoice? What makes you happy even on the bad days? And, if you need a little prayer, just ask, I'd be happy to talk to God with you or for you.

I'll leave you with one more quote which I got off a Sunday bulletin last summer:

May you be comforted in knowing that this difficult trial will have an end. God has ordained that all things will come to a conclusion. As painful as it seems right now, none of this will last forever. As God's grace prevails, the struggle will end at just the right time, and you will rejoice in a bright, new day.

Beautious

Okay, I must say; I watched 'Step Up' last night and wow, what a brilliant movie but....even if you do not like that sort of movie, I think (and this is just my humble opinion) that Channing Tatum is a must-see all by his little self. Wow, he was tres cute in 'She's the Man' but holy crap! I might be slightly in love with him. For those of you who agree, give me a holla!

Prism Pictures

Picture #1:

From Left to Right: Steve-O, Al Harlow and Tim

Picture #2:

Cass and Steve-O


Picture #3:

Me and Steve-O

Reservoir Hobbits

I saw this picture and just had to post it. Enjoy!

A Night To Remember

The crowd is amazingly loud and the room is filled with cigarette smoke and a slight hum from the last remnants of the opening band when a loud boom sounds through the bar and Spaceship Superstar begins to play. Four figures cut through the chatter and emerge onstage....Gary, Tim, Steve-O and Al Harlow. And the concert begins.

Yes, indeed, my friends, Cass and I just got back from seeing the one and only Prism and it was FREAKING AMAZING!!! They played all our favourites....Spaceship Superstar, Flying, Take me Away, See Forever Eyes, Virginia, Cover Girl, Night to Remember, Take me to the Kaptin, Armageddon. It was all there and yes, they are coming out with a brand new album this year! They sang a song from it based on an experience with a girl from the Calgary Stampede last year.

And, before they sang 'Cover Girl' they were like, this is based on a friend of our from Vancouver who went to L.A. and became a playboy girl and was beaten to death by her jealous husband and this is one of the lines:

Five years in eighteen months

She got everything all at once

She moved out that's when he moved in

Cover Girl it's such a damn waste

You were more than just a pretty face

I never thought I'd never see you again

And I turned to Cass and was like, this song means so much more when you know where it came from!

And Al Harlow (the lead singer) has these awesome huge white shades and big hair and tight pants and a leopard print muscle shirt. He's so cool and Steve-O is the guitarist slash wicked keyboardist and he kept looking at us and he played a riff to us and they came and did their solos in front of us. And just before their encore, they were toasting and I clinked my glass with Steve-O and we drank. It was awesome! And Gary played the best drum solo ever!

I'm so sad it's over, but Cass and I took pictures and we got pictures of us with Steve-O and he put his arm around us and it was also amazing because he's totally amazing. Cass and I got in the car and squealed like highschoolers. It was terrific. And, there will be pictures as soon as we get them developed, I promise, because you'll all be jealous of us and Steve-O.

Next August ladies, Lethbridge will be the place to be. It's so incredible seeing someone so close and in concert that you used to pretend to be when you were little. At one time, we were bouncing around singing along to flying and then, we were living it. It was crazy.

So, I bid you a wonderful night because I had the best night ever. Love and peace,

Al