Wow... 2010... I can't believe its here...

So, my last blog entry was written from a cafe in beautiful (warm) Australia... Now I am writing to you from a coffee shop in middle of snow covered, but equally beautiful Minnesota..

I've been back state-side for a month now. I've had an amazing time spending the Christmas season with my family & friends. I was very low-keyed - but that's the way I like to spend the holidays. I did enjoy many a night sitting in front of the fireplace drinking coffee & spiced cider watching my favourite Christmas movies. Christmas Day consisted of sleeping in, snowball fights, making snowmen, lots of good(bad) food, & backrubs.


New Years was a tad different that usual... On the 31st I had a wedding rehearsal & groom's dinner for my cousin & his fiancee who got married on New Years Day. It was loads of fun, but the really different thing about those 2 days was the fact that I had just had my wisdom teeth out! Yup... I played in a wedding with chipmunk cheeks...

So, what did you do for Christmas & New Years?

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...

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! 

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...

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.

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?

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

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.