Kristina
So... Here I am sitting in a local coffee shop, listening to the Rat Pack Christmas... Wrapped up in an oversized cardigan... Blissful right? Except I happen to be in Sydney Australia FREEZING in the air-conditioning, because it's 90 degrees outside...

Oh, how I am looking forward to the snow...
Icicles... Snowball fights...
Sitting next to the fireplace with a cup of spiced cider...
Candlelit evenings at home in front of the Christmas tree playing games with the family...
Back rubs while watching my all time favourite movie White Christmas...
Mhmm yes...
Soon... very soon...


Kristina
Welcome to this week's Song of the Week! This is a song where you need to listen closely to the music... It is a scrumptious treat to any ear, musically trained, or just passionate about good music! 


An Envoy to The Open Fields
All manner of malady come to be seen
All manner of malady come to be seen
Why do you call me at the door?
You don't know me
Why do you?
Why do you call me all the time?
You don't know me
  
In the corners of eyes
I'll stretch the sky in blue
And I'm thinking you're made for me
And I'm thinking of things you said
   
Hey now! No using me
Hey now! Can you see them?
No use in me
When all you want is
And when you go I stay
There are no complications
And when you go I stay
The blood is on moirre hands today
  
Why do you call me at the door?
You don't know me
Why do you?
Why do you call me all the time?
You don't know me
Assigned to ascertain their find
For I believe these fields divide
The other world
We timeless horse employ, envoy
How do you know?
Where did you go?
Solar, I can't see anything
Collide with me
   
In the corners of your eyes
I'll stretch the sky in blue
And I'm thinking we knew no better
And I'm thinking
We're dying



(c) Mew 2005
mewsite.com
myspace.com/mew
Kristina
So... I know that I have been pumping the iHeart film via Facebook & Twitter for the past few weeks/months... but yesterday I was able to see the film first hand... and all I can say is: wow.
The iHeart Revolution was something that was birthed in Joel Houston and the rest of the United team 3+ years ago... And it was absolutely thrilling to see it completed AND be a part of this historic moment.

iHeart is not for one second about Hillsong United. But, it is all about humanity & injustice. The film was so eye opening to the human condition worldwide, and the fact that we [the church] don't do nearly enough to help break down the walls of injustice.

There were so many incredible things that I took away from this film... But I think the core message & the main theme throughout the movie was just one little word. A word that we tend to throw around so flippantly...

Love

We as the Church are called to take care of those in need...

"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." - James 1:26 (MSG)

I think to often we complicate Christianity, and what the church is mean to be/do.
I mean - look at Jesus and his ministry. We could just blow him off as a great man, an amazing prophet, or... a lunatic.

"This man we are talking about [Jesus] was (and is) just what He said or else a lunatic, or something worse. Now it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic nor a fiend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God. God has landed on this enemy-occupied world in human form." - CS Lewis (Mere Christianity)

But seriously... His ministry was like NOTHING this world has ever seen or experienced - ever!! His ministry was about loving the loveless... His ministry was about breaking down walls of injustice. So, shouldn't we do the same?

I must confess - that while sitting in the cinema surrounded by the church, I couldn't help but shed a tear or two (or 500)... This church has decided to rally together, and do something about injustice. So, now I ask you - are you ready to make a difference? Are you ready to get out of your comfort zone, and do something for the Kingdom? Are you prepared to break down the walls of injustice?



Be the change...
Make a difference...

Here are a few places to start:

Be blessed my dear friends,
       Kristina
Kristina
Sometimes my flesh just screams out... longing to rebel, and wander away from the one true & sure thing/person out there... Jesus

After I've tried to do things all on my own - my heart just aches, because deep down... written in my very inmost being - I know without a doubt, that I belong [completely] to the creator of the Heavens & the Earth...
I am the daughter of the Artist who painted the daisies in a lush green meadow... the Sculptor who formed the magnificent mountains & filled the vast seas... the Creator of every single living creature including me.
But the thing that really gets me is, that even though this amazing God created everything, he loves & cherishes - Me

Lowly little me... the one who is hopelessly in love with Frank Sinatra & chocolate...
the one who has issues asking for help...
the one, who wishes from the bottom of her heart, that she had been able to grow up with a dad...
and the one who, no matter how many times tried - still can't whistle...
But... I am also the one who, when given the chance, left everything & everyone she held dear, and move to the other side of the world. All because of one little word... one little desire given to her 5 years ago...

I'm the person who, even though I didn't have a dad, made the most of it, and through a terribly difficult childhood... I pushed through, and became a better person because of it.

See, I'm longing to trust, and love God more & more everyday... He's the reason I'm alive...
God is great... I am so far from coming close to all He is... But I've dedicated my life to chasing after him & making his Kingdom known...




Kristina
So, this weeks song is one from the forthcoming album "Heaven & Earth' of the incredible Phil Wickham. I encourage you to check him out if you've never heard him before... and PLEASE pick up "Heaven & Earth!
Peace -
Cielo
I'm walking through the bright white gates
breathing in and out your grace
all around me melodies rise
that echo with the joy inside
so I start to sing

but I can't sing loud enough
I can't sing loud enough
when I'm singing for You my God
I can't sing loud enough
I can't sing loud enough
when I'm singing for You my God

With a thunder roll and a brilliant light
your glory boasts and the heavens shine
the saints and angels stand in awe
captured by the beauty of it all
so I fall to my knees

but I can't bow low enough
I can't bow low enough
at the vision of You my God
I can't hold it all inside

I'm reaching for the One who brought me
out of death and into life
but I can't lift my hands high enough
lift my hands high enough
when I'm reaching for You my God
I'm reaching for You
I'm reaching for You
I'm reaching for You my God



(c) Phil Wickham 2009
Kristina
 Join me in taking a moment today to just stop & be. . .
    
Ponder                       

         &          

                      Dream. . .




To contemplate life. . . & love. . .

Friends. . .               

           Family. . .     

                             God. . .

To reflect about the past & dream about the future. . .
Kristina

My beautiful housemate Teish and I went on an excursion to the city on a lovely spring day last week... This trip included Sydney Harbour, the Rocks, and Teish's first ever Starbucks experience... Here are a few pictures of our adventures!







 

 

 

 

 


Kristina
Here is the episode of the week... this week I decided to change things up a bit - and include the music video to the song! Enjoy!
Xoxo
Beautiful Ending
Oh, tragedy has taken so many
Love lost cause they all forgot who You were
And it scares me to think that I would choose
My life over You my selfish heart
Divides me from You it tears us apart

So tell me what is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?

Oh, why do I let myself let go
Of hands that painted the stars and hold tears that fall?
And the pride of my heart makes me forget
It's not me but You who makes the heart beat
I'm lost without You and dying from me

So tell me what is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful

At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms
At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms
At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms
At the end of it all
I wanna be in Your arms

So tell me what is our ending?
Will it be beautiful
So beautiful?
Will my life find me by Your side?
Your love is beautiful
So beautiful




(c) BarlowGirl 2009
Kristina
Today was the release of Hillsong United's iHeart Revolution documentary: We're All In This Together. 
Four years in the making... 
Over 3 years of filming...
Over 2000 individual tapes...
Over 150,000 minutes of footage...
Over 25,600 gigabytes of memory space...
Edited... over 550 days...



Thursday at 11.00am Sydney time (6.00pm Wednesday Central Time) Hillsong United broadcasted live to over 600 cinemas across the United States and Canada from the Hillsong Convention Centre in Baulkham Hills, NSW.



United introduced a couple of brand-new songs never before heard outside of the church... I had the privilege of being a part of this incredible, life changing documentary.
I encourage you (yes YOU) to get into the local cinema and watch this film!

I pray that this film causes you to think.
I pray it causes you to change
I hope that we will get of our bums... get out of our comfort-zones, and do what was
commanded of us:

"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." - James 1:26-27


To Find a cinema near you: theiheartfilm.com
The next step: i-heart.org

Kristina
On Sunday I had the opportunity  to go to a taping of an episode of Australian Idol here in Sydney.

A bunch of us girls took the train from the Hills District (where we reside) to Central Station - from there we took the bus to Fox studios where the taping was held in studio.

It was the top 6 performing songs from Film & Theatre - and the guest judge was Liza Minnelli.










Kristina
To Build A Home
There is a house built out of stone
Wooden floors, walls and window sills...
Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust..
This is a place where I don't feel alone
This is a place where I feel at home...

Cause, I built a home
for you, for me
Until it disappeared
from me, from you

And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust........

Out in the garden where we planted the seeds
There is a tree as old as me
Branches were sewn by the color of green
Ground had arose and passed it's knees

By the cracks of the skin I climbed to the top
I climbed the tree to see the world
When the gusts came around to blow me down
I held on as tightly as you held onto me
I held on as tightly as you held onto me......

Cause, I built a home
for you, for me
Until it disappeared
from me, from you




(c) The Cinematic Orchestra 2007
cinematicorchestra.com
Kristina
I debated about whether I should write this blog or not... but, I finally decided to... because it is a huge relief getting this off my chest...

I have been living here in Australia for almost 10 months now... and in the same house, with the same housemates the entire time...
But, even though we've been through so much together, I still feel like the outsider in the house...
I have missed out on some great house bonding times because of my financial situation, and now I feel like after I leave here I won't be missed by those who are staying...
Is it sad when you feel like a stranger in your own house?

I live in a room with two other girls... in a house with 6 girls... but why do I feel so lonely?
Sometimes I feel unappreciated... unwanted... scared of the fact that I feel like (more often than not) I'm completely forgotten...

I know I'm probably just being paranoid... But it is difficult thinking that I am leaving here in less than 2 months - and I'm afraid that its gonna be like I was never here...


If you were here right now you would hear me sighing...
Kristina
Hey, hey - I hope this day sees you well!
I decided that I would start on a weekly basis sharing music with you that has inspired me, caused me to think... or, I think are just plain amazing!

Astronaut
Hey, don't cry for me
Don't be afraid I'll be okay
Soon I'm walking on air without a care
I'm leaving today

So don't try to keep me by holding me down
Don't try to to tell me I'm in for the ground
I am an astronaut sailing the stars
The moon is where i left my heart

Tried to follow the crowd
Got trapped in the cage I had to escape
Cause this world was never for me
I was born to fly free there is no other way

So don't try to keep me by holding me down
Don't try to to tell me I'm in for the ground
I am an astronaut
Sailing the starts
The moon is where I left my heart

I hold the earth in my head
All that I am, what is given to me
Although I'm shaking I trust in the hope
That someday you'll find me in your telescope

I am an astronaut
Sailing the starts
The moon is where I left my heart




(c) Jonas Myrin 2009
myspace.com/jonasmyrin
Kristina
This is a collection of jumbled thought that kind of - spewed out onto my computer... I do apologize if it gets a little messy!

Over the past few weeks God has continually been reminding me how very much I need him every moment, of every day…
I mean, I am NOTHING without his love, grace, guidance & forgiveness!

Recently I have been reading through the book The Deity Formerly Known As God by Jarrett Stevens from Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago.

This book is based on the 1952 classic, Your God Is Too Small by J.B. Phillips… Throughout the book Stevens tackles the distorted and destructive images of God that have been formed over the years, and then he explores constructive views that Jesus used of God.
  
So, while reading through this book - and having a couple incredible “God encounters” over the past few days, a couple of questions were raised:
  
WHY do I doubt God?

                WHY do I limit the Creator of the cosmos?

                                WHY do I think I know better than HIM?


I have come to the realization that - I'm selfish!
Huge shock I know... :o)
 
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways,
take up your cross daily, and follow me.
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?
If anyone is ashamed of me and my message,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory
and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.
I tell you the truth, some standing here right now
will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”
~ Luke 9:23b-27 (NLT)

    
I had never really thought about the fact that my limiting God was an act of selfishness... I mean - He is the creator of this vast universe... and STILL he cares so much about me that he sent his own son to die for me, much less, know the number of hairs I have on my head...
    
Jesus is the prime example of complete selflessness... Well, he IS after all the Son of God... He was sent here to earth to save us from our sin (one of which is selfishness), but he also gives us a great model for life in general...
  
Now - back to the greatness of God:

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made,
and all their host by the breath of His mouth.
    

  
He gathers the waters of the sea as in a bottle;
He puts the deeps in storage places.
  

  
 Let all the earth fear the Lord [revere and worship Him];
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
   

   
Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people He has chosen as His heritage.
The Lord looks from heaven, He beholds all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks [intently] upon all the inhabitants of the earth--
   

   
He Who fashions the hearts of them all,
Who considers all their doings.
Behold, the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe],
who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness,
   

   
Our inner selves wait [earnestly] for the Lord;
He is our Help and our Shield.
For in Him does our heart rejoice,
because we have trusted (relied on and been confident) in His holy name.
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness,
O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.
~ Psalm 33:6-22 (AMP - emphasis my own)
  
Okay... I don't really have anything to follow that up with... But while you chew on that verse - here is a fantastic song that was recently written by one of our team members:

Give me eyes to see more of who You are

May what I behold still my anxious heart

Take what I have known and break it all apart 

You my God are greater still


No sky contains
No doubt restrains
All You are
 The greatness of our God
I spend my life to know 
and I'm far from close

To all You are
 the greatness of our God

Give me grace to see beyond this moment here
To believe that there is nothing left to fear
That You alone are high above it all

You my God are greater still

And there is nothing that could ever separate us

There is nothing that could ever
Separate us from Your love
No life no death of this I am convinced

You my God are greater still

No words could say or song convey
All You are
 The greatness of our God
I spend my life to know
 and I'm far from close

To all You are
 the greatness of our God
(c) Hillsong Music 2009


Kristina




Kristina








Kristina
So, over the past few days I have been busy cleaning the house for our real-estate inspection (which is today)... Most of the girlies are on holiday - so, for the most part I did the majority of the cleaning... which is totally fine for me... I love to clean...

But - while I was cleaning, I found myself dreaming about a place of my own...
I am so thankful for all of the furniture that we have been given, and I completely understand that I am a poor college student with no job, living in college housing with 6 other college students (who also happen to be poor as well!) But I really want a place of my own...

I am an artistic person who is always dreaming and scheming up plans for my dream home... I may be a dork - but I have a journal full of pictures, floor plans, and ideas... Blame it on my talented and creative mother...

I want to be able to see all of those ideas that are jumbled in my head (or on a piece of paper) come to life...


But for now I will be okay with dreams...
So... here are a few photographs... gives you a little taste of what I love...

This is one of the most ingenious things... ever!
The windowsill with a shelf for plants, flowers, lamps... anything you want to display!

I absolutely adore this window!

I love the three totally different textures and patterns here...
the old hardwood floors, the black & white tile, with the modern floral rug... genius!

This is a brilliant combination of modern, antique, and vintage...

This chest of drawers is gorgeous!
I love the idea of taking what was intended to be in a bedroom - and using is a tv cabinet!

So... I think that maybe this is something I will do a little more regularly... Give you a little taste of my passions, and it gives me a chance to release some of this creativity that is pent-up inside of me!
Kristina
I don't have words that can describe how amazing the past few weeks have been...
All I can really say is God is SO good!

Last week (July 7-11) was Hillsong Conference located at the Acer Arena... 20,000 believers from all over the globe together under one roof worshiping, learning, growing, and meeting with God...


In the video below you can see part of the conference opening celebration... think the opening ceremony of the Olympics... I had the great privilege to work alongside the creators of the opener... I spent many hours in rehearsals and run-throughs... just take a look... it about sums up the whole week...


How I WISH you all could've been there... I would try to explain it to you... but, again... No words...
Kristina
This may not make any sense... my head has a lot of stuff rattling around up there... but I felt like I needed to share this!

Today I heard a wonderful quote from an incredible man of God...

"We need to live in the present - not the past. Because by living in this day that has never happened, gives us the opportunity to do things that have never been done."


I’m not sure why - but I got really fired up… The past is there to reflect upon and learn from… The future is there to dream about - but we are not living in it yet! We are given today!
AND we shouldn’t be wasting the days we do have! We are not called to just float by in life… we are here with a mission...

We are called… called to be a generation that rises up. A generation that isn’t afraid or ashamed of the gospel. A generation that is going to change the way the world sees the church of Jesus Christ. This generation is not one to be trifled with. We are an unstoppable force… a monsoon of love and justice with a passion to see the masses reeducated about who God is, what true love, mercy and forgiveness is…. and what it means to be a devout follower and disciple of Christ.

"I am God. I have called you to live right and well.
I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me,
and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:
opening blind eyes,
releasing prisoners from dungeons,
emptying the dark prisons. I am God. That's my name.
Isaiah 42:6-7 (NLT)