ImSteph

Sunday Morning Music

2009-11-23T00:37:00.000-08:00

I think this morning was the best morning I've ever had. First off I had to play piano for Church. Wicked awesome if you ask me. Second, its my brothers first time back since he was in Vancouver for a couple of weeks. So he didn't know ANYTHING about the Christmas play at our Church. WELL. We all voted Scott should sing a special solo in the song "We Three Kings". During practise Scott was surprised by this news and was obviously trying to get out of singing a solo in front of the whole Sunday School. Unfortunately for him and fortunately for me, he failed at that. And they made me play piano for him. As the wonderful sister I am, I played EXTRA quiet so we could all hear his LOVELY singing voice. AHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH. A beautiful solo he sang indeed. I think it all topped off with him being told HOW to sing by another soloist who really couldn't sing any better. I had a good laugh from all this. Funny, Scott's the better pianist and I'm the better singer. Oh how the tables have turned. Ha Ha Ha!

Patience is key.

2009-11-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

I'm finally starting to understand why God put me in a position to work at the coffee shop I'm working at currently.

Everything makes sense now.

Revelation Song

2009-11-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

In the last year or so, I learned this song at a Worship service I attend that happens once a month. It's this intense worship service that gives you time to just forget and block out everything around you and focus on God and to praise him. Personally, I learn powerful lessons that help me get through each week. And I'm not saying I only learn these lessons on that one Sunday, I learn a bunch of stuff anytime I look to God or just simply read or pray. God's powerful. Listen to this song. Learn it. Sing it out to God. I feel God's presence greatly when I sing this song.

Worthy is the,
Lamb who was slain
Holy, Holy, is He
Sing a new song, to Him who sits on
Heaven's Mercy Seat
[Repeat 2x]

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And I will adore You…!
Yeah!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder
Blessing and honor, strength and
Glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King,
Yeah

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore You!
Yeah!

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah...

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore You!

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come,
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I - will - adore YOU…

(Chorus) (Repeat at a cappella)

Come up lift up His Name
To the King of Kings…
We will adore YOU Lord…
King of heaven and earth
King Jesus, King Jesus
Aleluya, aleluya, aleluya!
Majesty, awestruck Honor
And Power and Strength and Dominion
To You Lord,
To the King, to King
To the King of Glory

Awkward blog?

2009-11-02T13:07:00.001-08:00

Hey! WHATS UP?
Yo I got something on my mind. And I don't know if I would state this blog as awkward or funny. I suppose its something you would have to decide for yourself. So right at this moment I turned up my tunes and Owl City is playing. I'm listening to the song Fireflies, and its awesomesauce. Anyway. This having nothing to do with my blog, maybe you might be a stalker and want to know what Im listening to because your looking through my window and you see my head banging and your really creeped out by that. I know I would be if I was you. I were you? I was you. Dang. I suck majorly at proper English. Oh well. Who really cares.

Lets get to the point of my blog.
Ever had awkward moments? But nobody knows it but you? Like this is just an example, and its not my own personal experience: But have you ever farted in the middle of a mall or something? And you start laughing? OR you go to the washroom and there's NO toilet paper. HAHAHA And your reaction is "Oh crap. What do I do now??" Hahaha no pun intended in that one. OR your at a restrauant and they're cooking with onions and your eyes start watering? Hahaha sucker! You look like you're crying, and you feel ridiculous. Well I had the funniest awkward moment today. I went to Starbucks, and bought a Strawberry Banana smoothie. It was delicious! SOOOOOOOO GOOD. Then, I hopped on a bus and went home. And as I was walking to my house I got the weirdest sounding hickups. They were so loud and it sounded like I was dying. Well. There was all these construction workers working on a house across the street, and I was hiccupping uncontrollobly, and they were all starring at me like I was dying. They literally all stopped and watched me as I went into my house looking like a complete idiot.

DON'T DRINK THE STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE UNLESS YOU'RE PREPARED TO LOOK AND SOUND LIKE YOU'RE DYING OF HICCUPS.

BLAST BACK TO THE PAST- Original? I think not! HA!

2009-10-13T17:26:00.000-07:00

Today is special. Actually no. Not really. It's like every other day.

Ever heard that stupid line used over and over and over. Lets go through some shall we?

-There's no I in team. But there is in win!
-If you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen!
-It's no use crying over split milk.
-Think outside the box! (Oh man I hate that one SOOOOO much)
-You're as clear as mud.
-As hot as hell.
-Just staying one day ahead of yesterday
-A picture can tell a thousand words.

I love going through old pictures. Why? Because it makes me feel super unconfortable. Espically if there is other people in the room. The kind of uncomfortable you laugh at awkwardly. One time when I was little, I was stupid enough to make a hula hula skirt and bra thing out of white paper. I was practically naked in this picture except for the random pieces of white paper taped over THOSE areas. Hahahaha. Well, my Mom kept that picture all these years and is planning on revealing it to everyone when I get married. Lets hope God keeps me single for life. Or else IM DOOMED. Anyways, Im not going to post that particular picture on my blog because my life would be ruined forever. However I would like to share other pictures that sit on my computer all day and rot. Ha! Funnnnn ayyyy. That was a good word phrase thing.

Anyway I found this picture today...........

HAHAHAHAHA. Yeah this one. This particular picture was taken about 3 years ago in December. The person beside me happens to be my sister. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO POINT OUT WE LOOK ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ALIKE. I remember that after we took that picture I burned my tounge on hot chocolate, and my sister, Deanna, went running to the kitchen (because we were at camp) and came back with icecubes. It was one of the many sweetest things she ever did. Heh. A kodak moment! LOL.

My favorite song of all time.

2009-10-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Since the first day I heard this song I literally teared up. It's always been so captivating to me. The instant the lyrics started being sung I felt every single word grab my heart. This song relates to an event in my life that happened not too long ago. Anyway. Read the lyrics. Every show I sing at I ALWAYS sing this song.

"Beautiful Mess" -Jason Mraz

You've got the best of both worlds
You're the kind of girl who can take down a man,
And lift him back up again
You are strong but you're needy,
Humble but you're greedy
And based on your body language,
And shoddy cursive I've been reading
Your style is quite selective,
though your mind is rather reckless
Well I guess it just suggests
that this is just what happiness is

Hey, what a beautiful mess this is
It's like picking up trash in dresses

Well it kind of hurts when the kind of words you write
Kind of turn themselves into knives
And don't mind my nerve you could call it fiction
But I like being submerged in your contradictions dear
'Cause here we are, here we are

Although you were biased I love your advice
Your comebacks they're quick
And probably have to do with your insecurities
There's no shame in being crazy,
Depending on how you take these
Words I'm paraphrasing this relationship we're staging

And what a beautiful mess, yes it is
It's like picking up trash in dresses

Well it kind of hurts when the kind of words you say
Kind of turn themselves into blades
And the kind and courteous is a life I've heard
But it's nice to say that we played in the dirt
Cause here, here we are, Here we are
Here we are [x7]

We're still here
What a beautiful mess, this is
It's like taking a guess when the only answer is "Yes"

Through, timeless words and priceless pictures We'll fly like birds not of this earth

And tides they turn and hearts disfigure
But that's no concern when we're wounded together

And we, tore our dresses and stained our shirts
But its nice today. Oh the way it was so worth it.

If I Had A Superpower...

2009-09-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

...I would OBVIOUSLY be awesome.

If I had a superpower it would be to fly. I would chose my job as the mail WOman. Everybody would have their flyer's and mail delivered to their homes by yours truly. UNLESS you hated me or something. (JERRRRRRK) HAHA.

I would also fly all over the world and see the sights. I would fly tons of food to countries that suffer from starvation. I wouldn't need a dog or cat as a pet. I would have pet birds. And I would be able to chill with them up in the sky. I would also probably help put out forest fires and fires in places like Australia.

Funny thing just came to mind.
I CAN become a mail WOman.
I CAN fly all over the world and see the sights.
I CAN ship tons of food to countries that suffer from starvation.
I COULD have a dog, cat, or bird. (I just choose not to have one, because I have allergies and I don't like cleaning up dog crap)
I CAN help out with forest fires and fires in places like Australia.

It's weird. Some people only believe it takes a miracle to have change.

I believe we are the change. And I believe one person can make a HUGE difference in the world.

Here's an example. Abraham was one man. ONE MAN. You should go read Abraham's story from the Bible. Maybe it will inspire you to make a change.

Matthew 13:23 (New International Version)
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

But I don't need a superpower. I have God. =)

I should really think things through...

2009-09-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

... before I ask a question.

Heh. I should think of all the possible answers to a question of curiosity. Never really thought about that.

Dear friend, This post is for you when you are facing stuggles in your life..

2009-09-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

I found this on http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bible-verses-of-encouragement.html
Read it all. I pray that it helps you.

Bible Verses of Encouragement
Difficulties in our Christian life are simply normal...all of us go trough them, but look up! Try to see how God sees your problem and listen the words of encouragement from your Father.
As we go through life we try and try to be good Christians and we try to do all the right things but there are always those times when it just seems that nothing is going right and every time we try to do something for the Lord, it just gets turned all around and becomes a big mess….here are some verses form the Bible that are meant to encourage those that are in need of it.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Matthew 5:11-14

One of the most important things in the life of a Christian is witnessing to the lost and telling them about the wonderful gift that is available to them through the blood of Jesus Christ and acceptance of His gift. The problems come up when the world starts fighting to keep those people in the grips of sin and does its best to get rid of us. As we can see above, we are not to be discouraged by the world treating us this way, and even though it is mighty hard to rejoice at such treatment we cannot let our mouths be shut just because we are not liked very much! The light must shine and if we are not the ones to hold it up high, then who will? Remember Jesus died so that we could be saved and then his apostles were killed off one by one so that the message of salvation could be taken to the ends of the earth. Who are we to not try and do as much as we can…even if it does mean a little persecution.

"Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:3-14

Many times in the life of a Christian we make mistakes that need to be corrected…it is when we do not correct them that the Lord has to do something to show us that we are on the wrong path doing the wrong thing. Trials can come up and hardships, afflictions all kinds of stuff can occur that the Lord allows to happen so that we can see what it is that we are doing to ourselves … it is in times like these that we need not to blame the Lord, we need to stop and carefully examine our lives and find out what the problem is and fix it, it is then that we can again enjoy that wonderful relationship that is to be had when you are a child of God.

By Claudia Miclaus
Published: 2/14/2008

Why did God create Man? Why were you born? What is man's ultimate destiny?

2009-09-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

Very few people are happy with what they are and where they are going. Every day millions of people try to change their bodies by exercise or diet. Many try to alter their looks with cosmetics or even plastic surgery. Scientists feel they may soon be able to slow the aging process with drugs. It is in the very nature of man to try to change what he is.

Chances are you are one of the many who are concerned with the questions regarding whether or not there is any way to extend your life. Perhaps you feel that such a question is directly related to understanding why you were born and what your purpose in life is. Many people believe they understand what the Bible says about these questions.

But the simple fact of the matter is that MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS! Like it or not, the majority of people today do not truly grasp what the Bible teaches regarding man's destiny.

But you can know these things if you approach God's Word prayerfully and with humility--taking the Bible as truth and rejecting man's false teachings on the subject. Let's look into God's Holy Scriptures to see why you were created, what your role in life is, and how you can affect your destiny.

As with any study of man, it is necessary to go back to the beginning. It is essential that we go back to the time when man was created. This is where we begin our quest to understand what is in store for us.

God's Word tells us that in the beginning He created the heavens and the earth, day and night, and all the animals of our planet. The culmination was the creation of man.

God said,

"Let us make man in our own image according to our likeness. Let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over ALL the earth, and over everything that creeps or moves" (Genesis 1:26 ).

The Hebrew word for God is Elohim, which is a plural form, and for that reason we find the One who is identified as the Creator referring to "our" image. God consisted of more than one Being, although only one of them was performing the physical act of creation. As the Bible continues its revelation of these Beings, it shows them in a family relationship. But more about that later.

Man Is Created as a Physical Being

God created mankind in the divine likeness (verse 27) , yet man was made totally physical. In Genesis 2:7, it is clearly stated:

"And the Eternal God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
When Adam took his first breath, he became a living being. He did not become an immortal spirit on the same level as God, for Ezekiel 18:4 tells us,

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die."
The Hebrew word translated as "soul" is "nephesh," which is also used in reference to animals but translated as "creature" in Genesis 1:20, 21, and 24.

If Adam was not made an immortal spirit, how was he created in God's image? The answer has been hidden by centuries of erroneous teachings. Adam was created to look like God. He was given a mind capable of reasoning, thinking, and even creating, although his intellectual powers, in comparison with those of God, are limited. He was made from dust--the basic element of the earth, which of itself is inorganic-without life. God had to breathe the breath of life in Adam to make him a fully functioning human being.

God then placed Adam and Eve in a garden that He had specially designed for them. There were two unique trees in that paradise, a tree of life and a tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:9).

Notice what God told them:

"Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (verses 16-17).
The implication is that they could have eaten of the tree of life and lived eternally. Instead, they chose the other tree and set in motion a world subject to the bondage of corruption, as Paul said in Romans 8:21. The type of corruption that Paul was referring to was not moral depravity but physical decay--the physical process that ultimately leads to death for all living beings.

Genesis 3 describes how our first parents made that choice. Satan appeared to Eve and asked her if she were permitted to take of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. She answered correctly by saying that God had told them they would die if they ate of it.

Satan caused her to doubt God's word.

"You shall not surely die," he said (verse 5).
"God knows that once you partake of that fruit, you will become like Him in knowledge."

In other words, God was keeping something desirable from Adam and Eve. Eve fell for Satan's trick and also persuaded her husband to disobey God.

As soon as they ate the fruit, however, they felt different about themselves and about God. They were ashamed of their nakedness and wanted to hide from God. The innocent, trusting relationship they had was destroyed. They had knowledge of good and evil, but it was not what they expected. Their ultimate punishment, just as God had promised, was death.

"For dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return" (verse 19 ).
Because of their disobedience and unbelief, Adam and Eve were ejected from the Garden and forced to wrest a living from a world cursed with thorns and thistles. Their oldest son murdered his own brother!

Humanity had started on the path to destruction. It did not take Adam's children very long to harness the elements to create iron and other metals. They made implements and constructed buildings. They developed a social structure. Left to their own devices, the children of Adam became so depraved that God had to send a flood to cleanse the earth and start anew with the family of Noah.

Yet even the flood did not stop man from rejecting God. In the succeeding generations, we see how man has learned to organize armies for the purpose of conquering and destroying other people. He has found that he could acquire by taking instead of producing. Considering the amount of destruction man has done to others, to the animal kingdom, and to the environment of this world, it becomes clear that, had man been given more powers, he would have done more damage than he already has!

After 6,000 years of human existence, we live in a society filled with fear. Public opinion polls show that the number one fear in America today is CRIME. Yes, our number one concern is that people are harming other people.

Another fear which has developed only in this last generation is that of nuclear destruction. Unlike fear of crime which is usually concerned with one person hurting another, nuclear destruction involves one nation harming another nation and perhaps even the entire earth.

Is Salvation the Remedy for the Fall of Man?

Because God has allowed man to choose his own course, many people do not believe God exists. It is not uncommon to hear the question asked, "If there is a God, why does He allow crime, war, and disease? If He is truly powerful, why doesn't He stop these evils? Why does He hide Himself?"

Many religions teach that we are separated from God because of "the fall of man." They teach that God created man perfect and complete, but that Satan somehow wrecked the creation, causing man to fall from grace.

We have already seen that God's creation was physically perfect, that God wanted peace and happiness for man, and that Satan introduced sin to our first ancestors. By obeying Satan instead of the Creator, Adam and Eve were thrown out of their beautiful garden and made subject to curses and death.

The religions of this world will tell you that God had to come up with some kind of plan to salvage His creation--a plan to repair the damage. They would have you believe that God has been in a contest with Satan since that time and that the contest continues to this very day.

It is important to note that such a scenario is hogwash! These erroneous teachings are so loosely based on the Bible that they are in conflict with it.

"How can you take exception to this teaching?" is a commonly asked question. "I have been taught it all my life!"

First of all, it should be pointed out that, if the above teaching regarding man's present condition were correct, then we would have to admit that God is losing His battle with Satan and that Satan must therefore be more powerful than God! How else could we explain the fact that the majority of people who are born into this world NEVER accept Jesus Christ as their Savior? Are we to believe that the majority of the world then is lost forever to a never-ending fate of being burned alive in hell fire?

We find a man in Scripture who asked,

"If a man die, will he live again? All the days of my struggles (life) will I wait until my change comes. You will call and I will answer you. You shall desire the work of your hands" (Job 14: 14-15).
This is a very important Scripture. What does it mean when it says, "You shall have a desire to the work of your hands"?

The answer is simple. Mankind is God's workmanship. We are like clay in the hands of the Master Potter (Isaiah 64:8), who is molding us according to His purpose. God's great desire is to finish the work of His hands, and that completion will come through the RESURRECTION--the great change that will bridge the gulf between mortal and immortal. Then and only then will His work of creation be finished.

The creation which began with Adam was physical. The creation that involves the new Adam--the converted Christian--will be a spiritual one.

"And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit ...And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:45, 49 ).
How will this change from physical to spiritual take place?

"Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed"
Salvation is not a frustrated God's "repairing of the damage" in an attempt to restore man back to perfection. Satan's actions in the Garden of Eden were nothing more than what God chose to permit. In fact, everything is happening just as God planned from the dawn of creation. This is the great TRUTH of the matter.

No, salvation is not a repairing. It is a completing. Can you see the difference?

Of all His wonderful creations, man is God's greatest achievement. Through the human reproductive process He set in motion, God has created billions and billions of beings. And it is His desire that every one of these beings become complete in His eyes. The RESURRECTION, when man's nature is transformed, will bring completion.

Again, we need to fully understand that Genesis 1 and 2 describe a PHYSICAL creation--a model which precedes a SPIRITUAL creation. God did not create man as a spirit. He created man out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19).

Some have argued that Adam had God's Holy Spirit. "After all," they say, "he was created perfect!" Indeed, all that God made was perfect, but it was PHYSICAL. God's human creation was only flesh and blood.

Even though Adam was made perfect, he was incomplete. He lacked a very important ingredient. He lacked God's Holy Spirit. As a result of his being incomplete, Adam made a wrong decision in the Garden of Eden. He disobeyed God and obeyed Satan. This was the first sin (Genesis 3:22-24).

It is vitally important that we understand how God redeems us. It should never be forgotten that we are saved by grace through faith. Christians are His workmanship--created in Christ Jesus to perform good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).

The ministers of this world would have you believe that there are NO WORKS involved in following Christ. They tell you that you only need to accept ,Jesus and then you are automatically saved. This is not what the Bible teaches!

Jesus gave Himself so

"that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:15 ).
The Christian's good works stand as a witness to unbelievers, who will remember them and glorify God in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:12).

The final step in God's plan of salvation will come when Jesus Christ returns to this earth. At that time, He will resurrect those who have died in faith (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Daniel 12:2-3) and will bring their reward with Him (Revelation 22:12, Matthew 16:27). Their reward will be according to their works.

The Need for Repentance

But how does a person obtain salvation? What motivates him to want to produce good works and to remain faithful to the end? Before we can walk with God, we must repent. To most people, repentance means being sorry. The Bible, however, reveals much more.

In preparing the way for the Messiah, John the Baptist taught the necessity of receiving baptism and bringing forth evidence of repentance (Matthew 3:8-11). Jesus preached repentance.

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17).
"Repent and be baptized,"

Peter cried to the multitudes in Jerusalem,

"and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
The first step in salvation is a change of mind, a recognition that your ways are not those of God, and that your sins have separated you from Him.

Repentance means being sorry for having sinned and having brought about the death of Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty of our sins on the cross.

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).
The apostle Paul recognized that he had been a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a destroyer.

"This is a faithful saying," he wrote to Timothy, "and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:13-15).
Despite sins committed, God was willing for Paul and all other human beings to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). He is willing to forgive if we confess our sins and change our lives according to His commandments.

Once a person has fully repented and been baptized, the Holy Spirit renews his mind (Ephesians 4:23-24). The Christian becomes a NEW CREATION (2 Corinthians 5:17), who must no longer conform to the values of a world cut off from God.

The Christian learns to live by God's Word, the Bible.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16).
The Word of God corrects us and helps us to discern our innermost feelings as they compare to God's way of life.

The Development of Godly Character

If we permit God's spirit to dwell in us and guide our lives, God can then create perfect spiritual character in us. But we must choose to do what is right by following His laws.

In God's view, the development of character comes from the practice of love, patience, mercy, faith, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Read the entire chapter of Romans 12 for a better understanding of what our behavior as Christians--whose minds have been transformed by the Holy Spirit--should be like.

As a Christian grows in godliness he is granted additional knowledge, wisdom, and purpose. God has not created a world of robots. He wants thinking people who voluntarily choose to follow His way, and He will supply us with the spiritual tools we need to succeed.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).
Yet we must understand that God continues to allow suffering in the world. The Christian does not live in a kingdom apart from the rest of the world. He must coexist with the evils of society and not be pulled down by them.

All suffering--unhappiness, fear, misery, and even death--comes from transgressing God's laws. The Christian learns to live by God's law of love and to reject Satan's way of competition, greed, and vanity.

Christ learned by the things He suffered.

"And though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).
He never once sinned, although He was often sinned against. He was spiritually perfect before God.

Was it easy for Jesus? Definitely not! In verse 7 of the same chapter, we read,

"Who in the days of his flesh offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared."
The suffering that God permits helps us to develop godly character. God chastens every son whom He loves because chastening strengthens the individual (Hebrews 12:5-10 ). It is done for our profit so that we can be partakers of the holy character of God the Father.

Self-control is an important part of godly character. We must grow and develop our ability to exercise self control through the suppression of wrong desires and selfish motives.

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5 ).
In order to receive salvation, the Christian must demonstrate to God that he can and will properly and obediently direct the powers and blessings he has at his disposal. Then and only then will God grant him the gift of eternal life.

The Purpose of Human Existence

Man has permitted Satan's sway through the things he can see, taste, feel and control. Man has perverted God's Word, polluted his mind, and let his body degenerate. He has failed to train or has wrongly taught his children. He feels resentment and envy-even hatred-toward his neighbor. He tries to get more out of life than he puts in.

And he will destroy himself unless Jesus Christ steps in to save him.

"But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Hebrews 2:6).
Yes, why is man special? What potential does God see in him?

"Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownest him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the work of thy hands" (verse 7).
But as the next verse points out, not all things were put under man in the first creation.

It took Jesus Christ, who as God came in the form of a man, to bring all things into subjection and to taste death for every man.

"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing MANY SONS TO GLORY, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (verse 10).
The truly converted Christian becomes a son of God--a member of the God Family first known to mankind as Elohim. In the beginning, the God Family consisted of only two Supreme Beings. In the future, it will be composed of many sons and daughters who receive eternal life. Jesus is the firstborn of MANY BRETHREN (Romans 8:29).

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2 ).
Since no man can look at God and live (Exodus 33:20), the children of God will have to be composed of spirit just as He is. Philippians 3:21 tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ will change our corruptible, mortal bodies into a form like that of His own glorious body.

What does Jesus Christ look like now? Read Revelation 1:14-16 for a description of His present glorified, immortal state. He radiates light and power!

But for now, Christians are only heirs.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17).
So when we as physical human beings pass from mortality to immortality through the resurrection, our greatest enemy will be vanquished. As prophesied in Hosea 13:14 and echoed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55:

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
The purpose of human life rests in God's plan of salvation. God is creating His own kind. He is reproducing Himself through the many men and women that He is now calling to be Christians. When such a person is baptized and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, he is actually begotten as a son of God, though not yet born.

Through Bible study, daily prayer, and the experiences and trials of life, the Christian grows spiritually. His carnal nature is reformed and shaped into godly character.

Then, at the time of the resurrection, the Christian is instantaneously CHANGED from mortal to immortal. He is born again. Only this time, he is born into the God Family, and not into a human family. As he was once born in the image of his human parents, he will be born spiritually in the image of his heavenly Father. The resurrected Christian will exist on the God plane and be a God himself!

God is not a closed Trinity, but a growing Family, of which you can be part.

This wonderful truth has now been revealed to you. May God help you to achieve your purpose in life!

I'm gonna stump you with this one

2009-09-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

Think about your most favorite movie. It's awesome isn't it? I know right. We should go watch it right now. Nah, lets not. Because I might ruin it by making jokes over the most random things. I wouldn't wanna ruin it for you.

Ok.

Now.

Here's the tough question.

Think about your most hated movie. Betcha trying to think of one. HAHAHA. You probably don't know one off the top of your head. Yeah, well. That just came across my mind. It was weird. Enjoy life! Live laugh fart!
-Steph

Live music by Steph Huber

2009-09-13T21:41:00.001-07:00

Human.

2009-09-13T15:52:00.001-07:00

Close your eyes.
Clear your heart.

A picture can tell a thousand words. This one tells a billion. :D

2009-09-12T15:45:00.001-07:00

That's how I have a good time

2009-09-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sit in the park.Play my guitar.Eat spitz.Enjoy life.

My toe looks like a giant tomatoe.

2009-09-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

Pointless blog. Don't read if you want inspiration.

I hate awkward moments. And I mean those kind of awkward moments where you trip or something dumb. Yeah that was me today. TRIP. FALL. BAM!.

So I thought nobody was around me, so I was thinking "Hahaha this never happened." Until he spoke. Yes. An old friend I hadn't seen in forever. Stupid grade 12 friend of mine yells at the top of his lungs "HAAAAA I SAW THAT STEPH!!!" And I turn around and of course I could only think of one thing "I'm gonna punch him in the face." Hahaha as a joke. Anyway since I have nothing else interesting I guess I will give you this one in a lifetime opportunity to laugh at me. You will only get 2 seconds. Nah. One second to giggle, or however you express a way to point and laugh. Ready....set...............go!. OK YOUR DONE. Anyway think back to a time in your life when you felt so stupid or embarrassed because you could only think "I GOTTA CATCH MY BUS. I GOTTA CATCH MY BUS. I GOTTA CATCH MY BUS." Yeah. Bad idea to think instead of watching where you're walking. Well those kinds of situations don't work well with me.

Go there. Its describes everything about me in a song.

2009-09-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETa47DdZwHg

1Peter

2009-09-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy this book of the Bible. It really encourages Christians to live holy lives in spite of suffering. It's pretty much written specifically for Christians. Here's some background information on 1Peter: it was written in A.D. 64. Maybe you'll find that of some interest. I kinda did. This morning after I had a shower I had about 30 minutes to goof off until my hair was dry enough to curl my hair. Reading the Bible first thing in the morning is the smartest thing I've thought of. In my opinion, sometimes spending time with God first thing in the morning can affect the rest of your day. Today I thought about the stuff I read and it helped me to be more Christ-like. It was excellent. Anyway. I will stop blabbing and give you something to read and think about.

FAITH IS PRECIOUS:
1 Peter 1:3-9 (New International Version)

Praise to God for a Living Hope
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

GOD CHOSE US:
1 Peter 2:9-12 (New International Version)

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

LOVE AS BROTHERS:
1 Peter 3:8-12 (New International Version)

Suffering for Doing Good
8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

SUFFERING AS CHRISTIANS:
1 Peter 4:12-19 (New International Version)

Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

BE HUMBLE:
1 Peter 5:6-11 (New International Version)
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

So there you go. That top half is NIV. So if you've recently accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour maybe you'd like an easier translation. And I'm more than happy to give you one.

FAITH IS PRECIOUS:
1 Peter 1:3-9 (New Living Translation)

The Hope of Eternal Life
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6 So be truly glad.[a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

GOD CHOSE US:
1 Peter 2:9-12 (New Living Translation)

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

10 “Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”[b]

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

LOVE AS BROTHERS:
1 Peter 3:8-12 (New Living Translation)

All Christians
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10 For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”

SUFFERING AS CHRISTIANS:
1 Peter 4:12-19 (New Living Translation)

Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian,[a] for then the glorious Spirit of God[b] rests upon you.[c] 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?”[d]

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

BE HUMBLE:
1 Peter 5:6-11 (New Living Translation)

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters[a] all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.

Life is a big compromise.

2009-08-29T13:37:00.001-07:00

Okay so this is one of my many discussed topics I have with many people. It's interesting. One night I was in my room (And for all that don't know, I tend to spend ALOT of time by myself. And that alone time is usually spent in my room. Talking to God. So I guess not REALLY by myself.) Anyway,

I often think of brownies. Yes I know, how stupid right? Well. You know what. I LOVE MY BROWNIES. My Mom used to (HENCE USED) buy brownies from Sobey's. And I would literally eat them in less than a week. I would ALWAYS eat them with a glass of milk on the side. A perfect combination if you ask me. And after I sat and scarfed down my brownies and milk I would walk over to the box of brownies to get some more. Then I would catch myself looking at the nutrition paper on it. And I would go "UGH. Frick. This has soooo many calories." And after I'd say that I would plan on when I was going to go for a run. There's a compromise. Brownie=Run.

Or how about the geeee tar. The love of my life. Seriously. Can't live without a geee tar. I probably spend, at the least, one hour everyday on my guitar. Playing guitar produces beautiful music. But that's not the compromise. Maybe it is for you if you hate music or something. And if you do.......cough loser cough. Playing guitar gives you really sore fingers after. Guitar=Sore fingers. BAM! Compromise.

Here's a great one. Its a little bit more serious. So brace yourself. I'm going to give you a situation. NOTE: This is not something going on in my own life. It's just an example. Maybe its an example in your life. But currently for me its not in my life. Honestly, my answer comes down to this: NOT INTERESTED. Haha because I KNOW the compromise. I've learned it backwards and forwards. So here it is. Ready? Well I'm not sure if you are. Get down on the ground and give me 20 push ups and prove to me your ready.... DON'T KEEP READING. I SAID GET DOWN ON THE GROUND AND USE THOSE ARMS. Common! Lets go! 1..2..3.. I'm totally just kidding. But that would be funny if you actually just did. If you did, Good job! Your gonna be SMOKIN HOT tomorrow with those pipes! Ok. Ok. Serious time. Here's a situation. There's this great guy you know. Or there's this great girl you know. And he/she is super good friends with you. You've started to noticed this person alot more than usual. You like what you're noticing. You REALLY like what you're noticing. And you're thinking a relationship with he/she wouldn't be so bad. Here's the compromise: Relationship=Broken heart. Life is a risk. There's always going to be that downfall in the thing you like or "love". But here's something cool. I know of a compromise that has no downfall. It's what we would know as "grace". It's a grace that we receive, freely. Think you know what I'm talking about?

Romans 3 (NIV)
22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Don't understand it? Here's an easier translation if you're not gettin it.
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Romans 3 (New Living translation)
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Through grace, God's love is no compromise. He just gives it. Isn't that awesome? One of my many favorite discussions I like to have.

Watch then Read.

2009-08-25T00:03:00.000-07:00

This music video relates to my life in the last little while. Not the lyrics but the video itself does. During the summer I thought I had my life figured out. I thought everything came in place. But that time only lasted 2 weeks. It was a huge learning experience, but at the same time I felt like I knew exactly who I was. Life isn't about finding yourself. Its about creating yourself. But how do you create yourself when your lost?

About an hour ago I was sitting on my bed. The light was on. And I had no cravings for sleep. I sat there and pondered off in my thoughts. Then those thoughts ended. And I felt a sudden urge to read the black book sitting on my table. I didn't recognize the book. I had never read it before, so I was really curious about it. Then my phone vibrated. There was a debate in my mind going on during that moment. "Phone? Or Book?" I picked up my phone, not opening it up. Looked at it. Grinned. And chucked it in my laundry pile. I reached for the book and picked it up. The outside casing is brand new leather. It was soft bet yet very smooth. Felt like a babies bottom. I gently opened it up hoping it would change my life. To be honest, I felt stupid for thinking a random book to change my life. Until I looked at the pages, and the scripture. I realized it wasn't some ordinary book. It was the book of life. It was the Bible. So OBVIOUSLY it was going to change my life. I smiled, directing that smile towards God as if he was sitting across the room from me. I closed my eyes, and said, "God change my life. Do your thing" And still closing my eyes I flipped through the pages. I wanted to stop towards the beginning, but I didn't, something kept me flipping till about half way through. I drew my finger all over the two pages until it stopped. I opened my eyes and looked above my finger. There appeared to be a bolded title above the sentence. It read "The God Of All Comfort" Its found in 2 Corinthians 1:3. The paragraph read: "3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our[a] behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

I really appreciate what God's been saying to me lately. After I read that passage I picked up my acoustic guitar and started playing In Christ Alone. The funny thing is, I don't even know the chords to that song but it was like God was placing the music in my heart and everything just evenly flowed. Now I can honestly say, I'm not lost anymore. I've been found.

Dreams are funny but stupid sometimes.

2009-08-22T00:31:00.000-07:00

I have never in my life met two people so in love with each other. Every time I think about it, it's like seeing an example of God's love displayed for us.

My parents are so in love. They promised me they would never ever ever get a divorce. Although, sometimes I ask myself, HOW CAN DAD PUT UP WITH MOM?!?! Seriously. I'm going to be honest. I sometimes get annoyed with my Mom and how she worries over the littlest things in life. It's like having a full time grandmother in the house. Or sometimes I ask the question, HOW CAN MOM PUT UP WITH DAD?!?!. Dad sometimes will go off and wonder off and do his own thing, And when we need him and try and contact him he usually doesn't respond. Or for all I know, he probably doesn't even care what plans we have in mind. And the question came up in my mind today, "How long can you REALLY put up with someone" Its a silly question, I know. But still. It just gets me. After vacationing in Vancouver with my family I lost all respect possible for my family. It was insane. I know I can only put up with my brother for only a week of seeing his face 24/7. Every little rude comment built up my temper. And at the end of the week I exploded. It was excellent.

Anyway, that's beside the point of why I'm writing this blog.
I've been having the same dream for 2 weeks. And its about my parents telling me on a boat/cruise thing that they're getting a divorce. All I can remember in the dream is me cursing endlessly at them giving them the finger several times. One specific part of the dream I remember the most though, the conversation goes like this:

Mom- Yeah we're not interested in each other anymore. So we decided we should get a divorce and move on with life.

Steph- F******** YOU B********. YOU ARE SUCH A MOTHERF***** LIAR. AND YOU TOO DAD. YOU ARE SUCH A BAS****** I KNEW YOU NEVER LOVED ME. YOU JUST WANNA HURT ME. F***** YOU.

Mom- I'm sorry you feel that way. But you will just have to live with it.

----------------------------------------------------------------

That part of the dream stuck out in my mind. LOL. Because first: I would NEVER in a million years talk to my Mom like that. That's just rude. Second: I told my Mom about this dream that is re-occurring and she laughed for 5 mins straight. She couldn't stop laughing. Obviously I didn't go into detail about what I exactly said, but I mentioned the cursing to her. She basically said she has never been more in love with my Dad in her life. She went on about how much closer she has gotten to him over their lives. And third: The bottom line she says is totally not her personality. I don't think she would ever say something like that.

Its a weird dream. And I don't understand it. If I get it again tonight I'm gonna go bananas. Just watch me.

What is triggering these dreams?!?!

Call me crazy. But its the truth.

2009-08-19T23:58:00.001-07:00

Today this thought trampled all over my head. And I seriously thought about it hard and long for a good 2 and a half hours. So here's my thought train:

I need a guy in my life.
No, not a boyfriend kinda guy.
I just need a strong Christian good guy friend.
Like an older brother.
That I can talk to.
And grow in my faith.

Like how I used to talk to Scott.
I can't stand Scott anymore.
I need a guy like Scott in my life.
That won't randomly fight with me.

Not saying that I don't have guy friends.
I do.
Lots.
Tons.

But, they aren't Christian guy friends.
And when I do try and talk about deep stuff, they get this
impression that I think of them more than just a friend.
Maybe its my approach. I donno. But its weird. I don't like weird.
So, half of my life those guys will never understand.
I need to meet a guy, soon, that will understand that half of my life.
I need that type of Christian gender in life. That won't get that impression.

So, if you think your that guy.
YOU ARE NEEDED IN MY LIFE.

The Stand

2009-08-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

"...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." -1 Peter 5:5

So what can I say?
What can I do?
But offer this heart O God,
Completely to You.

So I’ll stand,
With arms high and heart abandoned.
In awe of the One who gave it all.

So I’ll stand.
My soul Lord to You surrendered.
All I am is Yours.

BBC CAMP 2009: How two complete strangers came about (CONTINUED)

2009-08-09T13:50:00.000-07:00

Couple weeks ago camp starts. Me and Scott late for the meeting at the camp. As usual. We got in. Jessie not present. Silently thinking to myself, "YES! MA PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED! THANK YOU GOD!" When a couple seconds later, Jessie Burgess walks in.

Silently thinking to myself,
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO".
Continously I kept thinking, "Ok, Ok, this doesn't have to seem so bad. It IS a Church camp after all"
Until I take a glance at the counselors cabin sheet. I notice the names,

JESSIE BURGESS
STEPHANIE HUBER
MARIE PAGE

I panic.

And now, I sit here at my computer, killing myself laughing so hard (yet again) just thinking about how all this came about. The story of how stupid I ever was for thinking that Jessie Burgess and Steph Hoobs would NEVER become such close friends. I think Jessie is funniest person I've ever met, and one of the few people I have ever opened up my most personal life to. Recently I've been picking up on God's funny sense of humor.

OH JESSIE. I LOVE YOU.

See the resemblance?

2009-08-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

HAHAHAHAHAHA GO AHEAD LAUGH.

Homeless Old Man. Why do we judge you?

2009-08-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

Sitting here, enjoying my forth cup of coffee today. Excellent indeed! I was just in a flashback thinking about all the times when I told my parents I would NEVER DRINK COFFEE. I honestly was the most stubborn kid ever for thinking that coffee was disgusting. Yeah, coffee with no additives is disgusting. However with flavor and sugar its one of the most amazing drinks ever invented. Each day I constantly think "How did I ever survive without coffee each morning?" It brings me to this question, why are we so stubborn sometimes?! Seriously. Why can't we open our eyes up to the world.

Today I approached the bus, noticing the old homeless man, I was hesitant to ride that specific bus. Life is weird. It's like we judge people based on appearance. For example, we judge other homeless people because of their actions and poor communication skills. Like, have you ever been on a downtown street and a bum comes up to you and asks for money. In your mind you KNOW that the money is obviously going to be used for alcohol and drugs. Typically a casual bum will spend his/her money in that way. And if you try and offer to buy groceries they usually tend to decline. I mean really, that's the norm in our society.

Just as I noticed the homeless man sitting there, I felt God's presence come upon me. God told me to get on the bus and act like a Christian should act. So. I got on the bus. Sat down. The homeless man seemed content. It made me smile inside. The bus driver got off the bus to have a smoke. It was just the two of us on the bus. I was worried. I mean, who wouldn't be worried? You never know what a homeless man might do right? its just one of those things. I prayed a silent prayer in my heart for this guy. I asked God to shine some light down on him. He got up. he Started walking towards the front of the bus. He picked up the bucket that was used as a garbage bucket for passengers to throw out garbage they carried. I was curious about what he was going to do with the bucket. He knelt down on his knees and started collecting garbage around the bus. He was working his way to the back of the bus. I immediately noticed garbage at my feet, I picked it up and said "Thank you so much, you are a kind man." He replied, "No, its people like you I should thank". He smiled cheerfully. And my heart melted. He continued throughout the rest of the bus. After he was finished he slowly made his way over to the larger garbage outside by the bus booths. He came back and pulled out seats for older people to sit on. He sat in front of the seats that I was sitting in. He turned around and smiled. He said, "I thought today was going to be a chilly day. But I guess God wanted to surprise me." I replied, "I thought the same thing. Until I got outside in my long black pants and my fall jacket and just about melted by the time I reached the bus stop. God has a funny sense of humor." He chuckled at my response. And replied, "He certainly does." We talked more and more and the bus driver came back in and drove us away. I got to my destination and had to get off. I shook his hand and told him it was nice to meet him. He said, "We need more teenagers in the world like you." I laughed. I had nothing good to reply to that. So I got off the bus and carried on with my day.

This homeless man was just an innocent generous good Samaritan.
We need more of those in the world. :)

Pce,
-Steph

PRAYERS PLEASE.

2009-08-02T18:46:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been really emotional. My body is having major problems. And I've been extremely emotional for about 4 weeks straight. It's driving me insane. Like I've wanted to cry every night just to get all the emotions out of my body. It's so hard to explain. Ugh. I sometimes just hate being a women for being so emotional. In the last 4 weeks I've been getting all worked up over the littlest things. Its so stupid. I constantly keep asking God why he's not getting rid of these emotions. And the only answer he keeps giving me is: You are a woman. And I made women that way. That is your role in life.

I am sooooo soooo sooo frustrated with it all. Randomly I will just spaz out over something stupid. First thing I thought was: "Maybe I'm gaining weight." So in 4 weeks I lost 10 pounds. Running everyday. Eating salads all the time. Drinking a thousand cups of water everyday. And even after losing all that weight and fitting into all my old clothes I am still ridiculously emotional.

I have this WII thing. Its some sort of game that helps you increase your daily exercising. I continually work on that everyday for about 2 hours and I will do this "Punch bag" exercise and go CRAZY and become this monster. AHHHH. WHEN WILL THIS END?!

I am going to see the doctor in the next couple of weeks. It may be depression, I donno. But it needs to end. I'm at the point where I will punch ANYBODY in the face.

PlansPlansPlans

2009-07-17T02:44:00.000-07:00

I'm considering purchasing a calender..
Could be useful in the next few months.

So now that I've finished being lazy every day and not doing anything, I now have a life starting.....TOMORROW. I perceive it is quite late, but frankly I don't give a damn. There really is nothing happening in the morning, so what better way to spend my night blogging about my uninteresting life. 3:48 it is right at this moment. Scratch that. It is now 3:49am. See, VERY UNINTERESTING.

Anywho,
I happen to be listening to Coldplay just as I type out this stuff. Good music. Funny how every song relates to my life in some way. Weird? Nah.

So here is my SCHEDULE or most basic outline for the next year or so. And the rest of this summer.

1. CAMP

I've been praying over the year for camp because its a way of giving back. I can't exactly say I was once a kid that regularly attended camp each year after year. But I can say that I once relied on older people to take care of me, and this is my way of giving back. Or serving God if you will. I suppose its important to me. Well, I mean, its bringing kids to Jesus and showing them the light. If you know what I mean. But ultimately in the end everybody asks the question: Is it really worth it? And my answer is: ABSOLUTELY. First off, your showing kids the incredible gift that God gave us. And that is just a pure blessing. Secondly, you get to have loads of fun. The running around, eating the "camp food" which is better than sitting at home heating up frozen suppers. That's just gross in my mind. Ha ha. And thirdly, the kids at camp love you. You feel inspiring to these kids. Heck! They all look up to you. And that's a pretty amazing feeling. So yeah, 2 weeks of camp ahead. Definitely looking forwards to it all.

2. WORK

Uh. yeah. This one. Hahahah. I HATE THIS ONE. So I've been looking EVERYWHERE for a job. And obviously I'm going to have to blame the recession. But. But. But. I finally after 4 straight weeks of searching, have found a job I can depend on. Not only can I work day shifts. But I can work night shifts. ALLLL NIGHT LONNG BABY. Cool. And at this place I will not only receive long shifts, BUT, I will have what are called COMBO DEALS. Combo's are like tips. The more combos you sell the more money you make. In August, for every 2 weeks I could be making $500. And that my friends, is only working 3 days a week. Where is this mysterious place you ask!?! THE MOVIE THEATRE. But unfortunately it has its flaws. I live on the complete opposite side of the city from this place. So I would have to bus an hour and a half to work everyday. With the exception of getting rides home. And that's it. I have my interview the week after I come back from camp

3. SCHOOL

Nothing to it. I have most of my cores the first semester. :D

4. OK this is the best one. AUSTRALIA

YES. Finally. So I'm gonna be in Edmonton for the next 7+ years. So why not go an exchange for 6 months. Brilliant, yes. SOOOOOOO STOKED. GET ME OUTTA EDMONTON PLEASE. Honestly, I didn't like this past year all to well. It wasn't a great year. But I'm praying that next year will be awesome.

And that's it,
I leave you with CLOCKS- COLDPlAY

Mr. A-Z?

2009-07-08T19:05:00.001-07:00

JASON MRAZ. COMING TO EDMONTON. MY LIFE JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

Mr. A-Z?

2009-07-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

JASON MRAZ. IN EDMONTON. MY LIFE JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

Boys and drinking

2009-07-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

My best friend just recently broke up with her boyfriend. She didn't exactly explain to me why. Except for the fact that she didn't have the feelings anymore. I have this huge perspective on dating. And I believe dating comes before engagement which comes before marrige. In the end I believe that dating was meant for the purpose of the possibility of marrige. But thats a whole different topic. And I won't go into it. Anyway, I would like to share my thoughts on this breakup. But I want to keep this private for both of my friends so I will change the names for privacy. So the guy will be Jack. And the girl will be Jill. Jack and Jill. Pretty unique eh?

Jack and Jill started dating this year. They believed that they were meant for each other. Jack was 2 years older than Jill. Towards the end of the year Jill decided she had lost feelings for Jack. She broke up with him. Since then, Jack has done everything he can to get Jill back. Jill keeps ignoring Jack. Jill tells Steph EVERYTHING. But obviously not this time, because it doesn't make sense. Jack keeps talking to Steph to try to figure things out. Jill feels like Jack is just another fish in the sea. Steph doesn't like being in the middle of all this. Jack seems at his saddest point. Jill seems like a frog sitting and ribiting. Steph comes to this question. How can you lose a special relationship over nothing? Is there "another man" in Jills life? Is Jack just milking it? Why does Steph always get caught in the middle of her friends relationships? Does Jack like the drama? Does Jill like the drama? WHY DOESN'T STEPH LIKE THE DRAMA?! BECAUSE STEPH HAS A FRIGGIN LIFE!!! THATS WHY! Gosh!!!! DRAMADRAMADRAMADRAMADRAMADRAMA. It never stops!!!!!!!

On another note, I started drinking, again! But not to the point where I get drunk every day. Actually I've never been drunk. I like that bitter taste. Helps me forget about the bad stuff and realize all the good times.

...And then I usually end up with a migrane at the end. Ugh.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Climbed up on mommys hair

2009-07-04T01:40:00.000-07:00

What would you do?
Yes. Its one of those questions that I am asking you. And by the end of this blog you will think about it.

But on another note that has ABSOLUTELY NO RELEVENCE, Michael Jackson is having a funeral that is for THE PUBLIC. Yeah! I KNOW! THE PUBLIC! Oh gosh. Los Angeles city officials are preparing for massive crowds downtown Los Angeles during Tuesday’s public memorial for Michael Jackson at Staples Center. AND STEPH WANTS TO GO!!!!

Anywho, so funny/true story.
Today. Driving home. With Mom and Squirrel (Deanna). I like to call her squirrel cuz she looks like one. JK (Teenage language translator: JUST KIDDING) But you have to admit, JK sounds better. Its what the paps say these day. OHHHH SNAP! ANOTHER EXAMPLE!!!! Paps: Paparazzi. ANYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYWAYYYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSS. Me and my Mom are talking about shampoo and conditioner. And how great smelling Herbal Essences is. It smells amazing! True story. And so we're talking about the greatness of that product and Deanna all of a sudden screams "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" and me and my Mom FREAK OUT!!! And say "OH MY GOODNESS WHATS WRONG!?!?!"
And now.
I
give
you
the
play
by
play.
Here.
We.
Go.

"Th.....Thhh......Thhhhh.....Therrrr...Therrrrrs....aaaa....spider.....o....o....onnn...th....thhhh.....thhhhe.....rooooofffff....fff...AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"- Deanna

"WHere?!"-Me

"Thhhh....THhhhhere!"-Deanna

*Steph flicks spider at Deanna*

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"-Deanna

"HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHA"-Steph

*Deanna rips off her seatbelt and spider climbs to the roof of the veichle*

"IM NOT SITTING THERE ANYMORE!"-Deanna

*Deanna attempts to open sun roof on car*

"WAIT! DON'T DO ANYTHING!!! IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!!!"-Mom

*Steph pulls out kleenex from canpartment*

"NO! SIT IN YOUR SEAT STEPHANIE!!! THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT!"-Mom

"Pttt. How?!"-Steph

"IT COULD Ok! MY REFLEXES ARN'T THE GREATEST!"-Mom

"Ok. Your gonna let so itsy bitsy spider cause a giant accident. Common Mom get real."-Steph

"HAHAHA. OK IT DOES SOUND A LITTLE RIDICULOUS."-Mom

*Steph reaches for spider*

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"-Mom

"WHATTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"-Steph

"SIT IN YOUR SEAT!"-Mom

"HAHAHAHAHA OK!"-Steph

*Steph sits in her sleep*

*Spider makes its way up besides moms hair*

*Deanna and Steph realize it and warn Mom not to freak out or look to her left. Steph and Deanna try and hold in their laughter as the spider sit besides Mother.*

*Spider makes its way on to the dash board*

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"-Mom

"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH"-Steph

*Mom pulls a major stunt move and pulls over on major traffic.*

*Mom opens her window and flicks the spider screaming at the top of her lungs*

Spider is gone.

Now. Back to the question.
What would you do?
.
.
.
IF THE SPIDER LOOKED LIKE THIS?!

RUN FOREST RUN!!!!

2009-07-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

'Kay so... there was a little thing that came up today at Deanna's soccer game.
It would interesting because I guess this Jamacian (or however you spell it) guy felt offened by what I said. Ok.
1) IT HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER THAT WAS IN ASSOCIATION WITH HIM
2) IT WAS JUST A JOKE AND HE NEEDED TO COOL HIS JETS
3) I LOVE JAMICAN PEOPLE. I THINK THEY ARE ACTUALLY THE COOLEST PEOPLE EVER. AND I AM NOT IN ANYWAY RACIST. (Most people that are racist don't tend to have friends)

So my sister was out on the field. Running. Stretching. Stopping. Yawning. Day dreaming. And everyone started yelling "RUN!!!" And then this Jamacan guy stood up (His daughter being on the oposing side) and yelled "START RUNNNING!!!!!!!!" In his real cool accent voice. And who knows who he was directing that at. But since everyone else was yelling "RUN!!!!" I randomly belted out "RUN FOREST RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!". And alot of the parents on my sisters soccer team side were laughing. But I JAI HO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry. I got distracted. I'm listening to that song right now. JAI HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Dang its sooo good! If you don't know this song YOUR LAME. AND YOU SHOULD GO ON YOUTUBE AFTER YOU'VE READ THIS PARTICULAR BLOG AND SEARCH: JAI HO. Sorry that song IS THE REASON THAT I BREATH. Hahaha oh snap. Ok Ok Ok. Back to this blog... Anyway, I said that like 1 second after the Jamacan guy said his thang. And then immediatly he snapped back and yelled "IS SHE LAUGHING AT ME?! IS SHE MAKING FUN OF ME!?" And he got so reved up about my "RUN FOREST RUN!!!!" Which everyone knew I was directing that at my sister. Anyway. He also made another comment making it seem like I was racist. But I am just gonna let it go. AND LET MY JOKES STAY ALIVE IN THE GAME.

Deanna, this directed towards you,
RUN FOREST RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Dumb kid just stands in the middle of the field and yawns. Honestly. What are we going to do with her)

PCE OUT
-Steph

ASATHECOMIC

2009-06-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

"Opinions are like assholes. EVERYONES' GOT ONE."

Expand on "Love is"

2009-06-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;

love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;

it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails...But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13

I found this part on a website that defined each individual "Love is..." and elaberates on each part of the verse. I found it cool.

Love is patient,
True love is unconditional, that is, it does not depend on the attributes or lack there of of the person loved, therefore, it is willing to give as much time necessary, and as much space as necessary for that person to grow.

love is kind and is not jealous;
Love seeks to give others something of benefit for their welfare, and consequently, rejoices when they do benefit.

love does not brag and is not arrogant,
To lift one's self up in reference to others leaves no room for unconditional, graceful love.

does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own,
To act inappropriately, shamefully (morally, especially in the area of sexual purity) is not in accordance with true love. Love never seeks it's own gratificaiton but rather the interests of others.

is not provoked,
Selfishness seeks to manipulate others by stimulating certain selfish emotions. Love will not do this to others, nor will it let it happen to itself.

does not take into account a wrong suffered,
Forgivenss. Let it go. Bitterness is the acid. You are the container. Get rid of it or it will kill you.

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
Love does not somehow gloss over things that are going to be hurtful. True love originates from the truth.

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
If love really is unconditional, it will hold any weight, face any doubt, persist through hopelessness, and last any trial

Love never fails...
If it did, would it be love?

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Someday, faith will not be needed, for we will see God. Hope will not be needed, for when everything is fulfilled, there is no need for hope. But love, yes, to it there will be no end. If it did, it wouldn't be love.

Copyright of that website http://www.bible-guide-online.com/famous-bible-quotes-bible-verses-about-love.html

PCE OUT
-Steph

Coffee slurpee at 11pm? Bad idea.

2009-06-29T00:21:00.000-07:00

I drank about 2L of coffee slurpee from 711 and I went to Jaz' house and sat on the back of her truck with her and talked for a bit. And I tried sleeping at 12:30 and I just couldn't sleep so I went on this big thought train in my mind. And that didn't seem to put me to sleep. So I came downstairs and talked with my father and he was laughing because I forgot of the cafine in the coffee part. HAHA. Oops. So now I'm stuck her, in the TV room writing this blog. Because something has been on my mind for a while. And I'm praying about it alot to deal with the hurt and disappointment all involved. Well here it goes,

Have you ever felt like you were so disappointed in someone and you just wanted to punch them in the face? Have you ever yelled at someone so loud it felt like you just lost control of everything? Have you ever wanted to just pack up and leave? Have you ever felt like punching someone you love dearly in the face as hard as you can to get a message through their head? Well. Thats exactly the feeling I'm expierencing right this moment.

Scott. My brother. The goof. The weirdo. The funny guy. The annoying kid. I could go on. But I won't. Today. In the car. He decides to play The Fray. I love The Fray. They're a great band with an incredible sound. They have unique music. And I enjoy it. So if you are going to play a CD that has great acoustics I'm obviously going to sing along. Then it happened. His mouth. It was like an explosion. It just bombed off. FOR NO REASON. These words came out "STOP SINGING. NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR YOUR CRAPPY VOICE." That just ticked me off. I was like a clock, if you can imagine, THE ALARM JUST WENT OFF INSIDE OF ME. I had had enough of his disrespectful comments and the words that were spoken towards me cheezed me off. Yes, CHEEZED me off. This wasn't just the first time he said horrible things. It gets worse by the day. He just makes it so hard to live in the same house as him. "Love keeps no record of wrongs", I'm trying to wire that message into my head. It's really hard actually. Scotts birthday is on Tuesday. And he's turning the big 18. Woo. Not that interesting... but apparently he's really excited. He wants to go out for sushi for a dinner outing celebration thing. Yeah. Good food, but I'm not going ridiculously happy about it all like he is. Anyway, he asked me not to come. OUCH. That really hurt for real. I don't know if he actually means it or not, because I know for a fact that guys will say things they don't actually mean. AND I KNOW THAT FROM EXPIERENCE. So maybe he does mean it. Maybe (and most likely) he doesn't. But I just don't know how to respond to that. When he said I just rolled my eyes and say "Whatever kid.". HAHA. So. Yeah. I donno what to do. Do I go? Do I skip out and stay out late with my buddies? Guys are just really stupid lately. I'm pretty sure they are MESSED up in their heads. LOL. So I'm going to be the bigger, more mature, smarter person, and give him a nice birthday gift. Because in the end I love him. But I just donno how I'm gonna shake this.

PCE OUT
-Steph

Start fresh?

2009-06-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Yo.
So I started this blog like four years ago and wrote alot in it, and then deleted everything. I don't actually remember why. But I did. And now I'm starting fresh.

Summer. Its the time of enjoyment, relaxation etc etc. But is summer really that relaxing when all you can think is "WHERE CAN I GET A FULL TIME JOB? NOWHERE." This summer is off to a bad start for me. I have my Australia exchange which is happening in 7 months and I have no job, no money, no preperation for the financial part of my adventure. So in the most basic way I could explain to you is...... IM SCREWED. Its freakin me out all the time just thinking about it. The reason I need a job is to afford all the "extras" if you will. And when I say "extras" I mean "fun stuff". For example, in Australia they do ALOT of outside activities like surfing (invloves water) and I would NEED extra funds to afford the surfing and the "fun stuff". How can I really enjoy myself when I have no money, no job, nothing? I wonder how all of this is going to play out for the next two months... until then,
PCE OUT
-Steph