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!