[Erika]

Ok.
Don't you hate starting journals/diaries? I do. In all my other official diaries, I always start by doing some sort of survey and the lyrics of whatever song I'm listening to at the moment. So I see no reason to do otherwise i love that smiley

ok.
13 books (other than the Bible) that have shaped your thought. (can't remember who I yoinked this from).

1. The Holocaust: Where Was God? by Art Katz
2. Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. Trial By Fire by Frank Simon
4. He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado
5. Saint Francis of Assisi by Elizabeth Goudge
6. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
7. How Should We Then Live? by Francis Schaeffer
8. The Calvary Road by Roy Hession
9. Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
10. Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias
11. Cosmic Codes by Chuck Missler
12. The Spirit of Truth by Art Katz
13. APOSTOLIC CONVERSION - Pretext or Reality? by Art Katz

What I'm listening to right now:
A song that changed my life.
The Holy One by Mark Schultz and Chris Rice

Gentle friend
You knew my name
Yet with Your hand You calmed the storm and healed the lame
As You spoke
People came
And as the crowds would gather 'round they called out
Holy One, are You the Holy One, who was sent by God to show the way

I wasn't there
The night they came
Those who saw and feared the miracles you made
You took the nails
You bore the pain
And as they hung You on the cross and mocked you
Holy One, if You're the Holy One let your God come save You from the grave

I just heard the news today
I just came to find you but they said You'd gone away
I just wanted to hear You say that you had to go
But that You'd be back again

Early morn
Break of day
Came in time to find the rock You rolled away
I found Your robe
An empty grave
And as I fell upon the ground I cried out
Holy One, You are the Holy One, and You came and gave Your life away

Holy One, You are the Holy One and You came and gave Your life away

I am the life, I am alive, I came to show the way

Mmm. More tomorrow.

[Insane Drummer]

Howdy Howdy. A new blog for my stalk. Lol. So wassup?


So.. uummm what bands do you like?



13 books... That shaped my thinking. hmm thats a interesting question.

[Beth]

yeah, I agree it is awkward starting journals. I really like the way that you do it. I think I may have to steal that idea... of course, I already started my blog, so I'll do it next time I buy a new journal, which from the looks of things, will be pretty soon.

Have you read any other C.S. Lewis?
Are the books in any particular order?
Which author shaped your thought the most out of the ones listed?

[Erika]

G'day!
Or as I should say, to be correct, g'evening. Hehe. That doesn't quite work

So wassup?

The sky
Not much really, I washed the cat today. She fought like tooth and nail. Wanna see my battle scars? Insane. And I worked 8 hours, but it only felt like four. Office jobs for me forever!!!

Have you read any other C.S. Lewis?

Yep. I loved the Narnia ones...I've read the whole series a zillion times. There's also another one of his that I love, where he writes about his wife Joy. It's beautiful. I've forgotten the title though And Mere Christianity has to be a best seller (in my opinion anyway!) Did you know he has a fantastic quote site? It's here: http://www.comnett.net/~rex/cslewis.htm .

Are the books in any particular order?

Nope. Just random really. If I had to put one above any of them, it would be Holocaust: Where Was God? By Art Katz, because I've always pondered about why/how God could have let it happen, and Mr. Katz answers all my questions biblically, and predicts another holocaust. I'm always amused at how another holocaust is so clearly prophesied in Revelations, yet if you say that to many people, they go off their heads at you...God will never be so cruel again, they say, I can't get over it. I spend my life laughing at people like that. And praying too.

[QUOTE]Which author shaped your thought the most out of the ones listed?]
Without a doubt Artz Katz. He is a man of honor, and his books show an intellect I desire and a brutal honesty and rigour that is so truthful in its approach. While his books can really HURT to read (especially spirit of truth - it is well worth USD$4.00 which it is selling for on his website, www.benisrael.org, because here in NZ it is well over $29.99 NZD, which kills me! - because it is being republished with a new jacket and the old ones must go) they are life-changing in a way that will challenge your faith and reaffirm your beliefs.

Anyways.
The quote for today is, yes a C.S. Lewis quote:
"In the midst of a world of light and love, of song and feast and dance, [Lucifer] could find nothing to think of more interesting than his own prestige."

--A Preface to Paradise Lost

Odd how the one God created could just...turn away. Ugh. I hate him...the devil that is.

By the way I believe I am a calvinist. How odd to be something you hardly know about. Anyone care to enlighten me?

I'm going to buy the Andrew Peterson cd, Love And Thunder. You need to hear his music...so upbeat, caedmon's call-ish in a way and yet...so superior. So very challenging...So beautiful. Ha. I just came across a review that called his lyrics "reminescent of Rich Mullins or Caedmon's Call". HOW COOL AM I! But just ot convince you, I shall post some of his (awesome) lyrics.

Isn't It Love

by Andrew Peterson

Lost my luggage in Kalamazoo
Same way I tend to lose my conscience too
Another day in these dirty old blues
And I don't seem to mind
This is a thing that confounds me
You can find me; You surround and remind me
I lose my way and I forget about You
But You still remember me

Isn't it love
This rain that falls on the sinner and the saint
Isn't it love
This well that won't run dry
Isn't it love
These mercies are made new every morning

And when I think about that prodigal son
I've got to smile when I see the old man run
And I know that You love us the same
'Cause the sun came up today
Just as if we deserved it
Just as if every one of us fools was worth it
Truth is that we'll never be perfect
But You love us just the same

Isn't it love to look down from the sky
And see Your only Son on the cross asking why
And somehow let Him die that way
And not call the whole thing off
All for a man here in Kalamazoo
Who loses his bags and his way sometimes, too
But that was something that You already knew
And still You died for me

©2001 New Spring Publishing, Inc./ASCAP

The Chasing Song
by Andrew Peterson
from Carried Along

Nw and then these feet just take to wandering
Now and then I prop them up at home
Sometimes I think about the consequences
Sometimes I don't

Well, I realize that falling down ain't graceful
But I thank the Lord that falling's full of grace
Sometimes I take my eyes off Jesus
And you know that's all it takes

Well, I wish that I could say that at the
close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving

'Cause Job, he chased an answer
The wise men chased the Child
Jacob chased her fourteen years to capture Rachel's smile
And Moses chased the Promised Land
Joseph chased a dream
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me

Well, they say the race can only have one winner
And you know you've got to pull out front to win
God knows the only time I'm winning
Is when I'm chasing Him

So, I wish that I could say that at the
close of every day
I was happy with the way that I'm behaving

Jesus chased the money men
And He chased His Father's will
He chased my sin to Calvary
And He caught it on that hill
And Saul, he chased the Christians
Til his blindness made him see
David, he chased God's own heart
All I ever seem to chase is me

2000 New Spring Publishing, Inc./ASCAP

Mmmm.
Now, wasn't that pretty?

ASK ME QUESTIONS!!!

*edit* andrew, i haf edited out heaps

[Erika]

And just for the record. Since I have become obsessed with Andrew Peterson's music, i want everyone to share the blessings I have gleaned from it. Here's a review

"Andrew Peterson
Love & Thunder

2003 Essential Records
(10 songs, 41:22)

By Randy Brandt (April 5, 2003)


As my oldest daughter Heather says, "This is a good CD to paint by--it's peaceful." While I know nothing about painting, I occasionally enjoy a minute or two of peace. With five kids, that's not overly common in our house. However, driving down the road with Andrew Peterson's Love & Thunder in the CD player does offer respite from the typical daily chaos.

From Canaan Bound, written from the perspective of Abraham, to the more recent flavor of Family Man ("I traded in my Mustang for a minivan"), Peterson's love for God and His creation shines through on every song. With the production assistance of The Choir boys, Steve Hindalong and Derri Daugherty, Andrew Peterson weaves a musical and lyrical tapestry of much greater sophistication than the typical CCM fare. His ability to paint a lyrical picture is evident in songs like High Noon:

High noon in the valley of the shadow / When the shadows were shot through with light / When the mouth of the tomb / Shouted, "Glory, the Groom is alive" / So long, you wages of sin / I said go on, don't you come back again / I've been raised and redeemed / All praise to the King / The victor of the battle

Love & Thunder is for anyone who likes peaceful thoughtful poetic folk music. At times Peterson's lyrics are reminiscent of Rich Mullins or Caedmon's Call. This project was not so much recorded as crafted, and is meant to be enjoyed over repeated listening."

Are you convinced yet? GO VISIT!!

[Erika]

G'day
I just finished work...I've begun working at our local Christian bookshop. I seem to come home every day with cds and books that have been given to me...I got given a brand new copy of a book I've wanted for sooo long

[Andrew]

Heyheyhey Erika! I am the sixth response to your blog. I just figured I would share the with you. And, just so you know, it is against the law to post lyrics the way you have posted them, so next time you are online, edit them to half a song, unless a mod does it first. I'll be back.

[Erika]

Hey Andrew!
Why thankyou, I am honored. I haf obeyed you

[Fuzz]

Erika,
lol...Let's hope you aren't a calvanist *is still very against theology*...the reason I think you aren't is because for theologans who classify themselves as Calvanists, Armenists, ect...they lose the childlike wonder associated with life and living. Incomprehensible mysteries of the universe that people like you and I wonder and marvel at are replaced by concrete answers for the theologan. I have to agree with Jon Foreman on this. "The way I see things, when i look at the sunset, when i look at the stars on a clear night, there's something inside of me that awakens. And I come alive...for something bigger than myself, for something bigger than a wad of cash in my pocket..." I really believe that true real happiness in life can never be found in theology or inside of our well churched and educated minds...Only when we reach outside and above ourselves will we find out what we're really meant to live for. I believe it was Niche(sp?) who said that every point, in order to be significant, has to have an infinate reference point. I have deffinatly found my infinite reference point. Theology only trys to figure out God, and it's so finite. At the end of all your studys you may have all of the answers for every possible theological question that's ever been asked, but at the end of all of your findings I don't believe you'll ever find out what the true essence of our existance is. The Christian faith is not for the intelectuals, it's for those with childlike faith. It's for the people who can comprehend that God is incomprehensible and understand that we'll never have all the answers in this life(and be ok with that!). I imagine if we acctually start living out the gospel and began to pass on the grace and mercy that's been giving us to believers and non-believers alike, and not get caught up in our storm of legalistic circles and denominations and just started staring at God with wide-eyed wonder and came to see that it is really an honour to be his servant...dude, we'd be in a much better world. Anyway, that's my rant of the day for you lol. -Adam

p.s. I watched the Guardien(sp?) the other night, it was pretty good too!

[Andrew]

Very enjoyable rant, if I may say so. Though I also believe that you need to keep studying theology, without getting lost. Like, I can study the Bible, and fall more and more into incomprehensible wonder and appreciation for the God of the universe, and of my salvation, and I would still be studying theology. But when I get caught up in the whole, 'well, he is a calvinist, I don't think I will listen to him' deal, you can lose a lot of what you are aiming for in your Christian walk. Theology is supposed to be the study of God and things that pertain to Him. More often then not it turns into the study of men trying to put labels on God. But when you say you are anti-theology, you are saying that you believe the study of God is bad. I very much agree with the point of your post though.

[Fuzz]

Yeah Andrew you are right. The study of God is so important...I think my view of theology is massively tainted because of people like Luke and Travis(I'm not trying to put them down or anything...)...It's just like, they have taken all of the wonder out of their faith. They replace sheer amazement with some of the biggest words i've ever seen in my life!! That's why i'm so wary of it, i just never wanna be like that you know? -Adam

[Erika]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Yeah Andrew you are right. The study of God is so important...I think my view of theology is massively tainted because of people like Luke and Travis(I'm not trying to put them down or anything...)...It's just like, they have taken all of the wonder out of their faith. They replace sheer amazement with some of the biggest words i've ever seen in my life!! That's why i'm so wary of it, i just never wanna be like that you know? -Adam

Hi Adam
Well I guess I can't really say I'm a calvinist, cause I don't really know enough about Calvinism. But I agree with the statement of Jesus' divinity...that's all.

This, by the way, was yoinked from manders, who yoinked it from john (mustbenothing).
>>You're stranded in the middle of Arizona, you have no chance of being discovered for three days, and all you have in your car is a machete and a box of Krispy Kreme donuts. What do you think about most during those three days?
[x]Why I didn't bring my Chris Rice cd, what my Mum is gonna do without me, how much I don't like donuts and I want water, and where's my Bible? And how dare you strand me without my Bible? WHat am I doing in the middle of Arizona without my Bible anyways?

>>What do you use the machete for?
[x]Chopping

>>What's the worst brand of salsa?
[x]Salsa?

>>When you're all alone, with only your deepest thoughts to keep you company, and the Kleenex box is three rooms away, do you pick your nose, or sniffle till you get over your laziness and get to the Kleenex?
[x]Sniffle...and sniffle...and sniffle...and get the stupid kleenex. They're meant to be in my room anyways.

>>If you could, would you trade sensory acuity in one sense for another (for example, would you give up part of your sense of hearing in order to see better)? If so, please explain.
[x]Oh..no way, no. If God wants that, he'll make it, but I hope He don't.

>>If you could, would you trade sensory acuity for increased awareness of the people around you or vice versa (for example, give up a bit of eyesight to be better attuned to the ladies' needs)? If so, please explain.
[x]Nope, and I wouldn't give up my sense of smell either...I want tobe able to smell chocolate from four rooms away.

>>Have you ever had a theological crisis? If so, please explain.
[x]Well I still aren't sure about Calvinists and Arminists. To both sides, I think that counts as a theological crisis. To me...well to be honest, if anyone wants to explain, they're more than welcome to. But I'm more than happy with Jesus being just a simple ole believer in the Lord...

>>Have you ever had a theater crisis? If so, please explain.
[x]haha no.

>>What particular physical attribute do you find distinctively remarkable in those whom you find attractive?
[x]Eyes. And then smile. and then hair.

>>Translate this quote into English: "ne1 \/\/|-|0 |<|\|0\/\/5 |-|0\/\/ 70 5P34|< 1337 |20X0|25. I|\/| 4 P053|2."
[x]Anyone who knows how to speak 1337 roxors. I'm a poser. Even I can read that.

>>Did you know that Marzipan is the King of Town's daughter?
[x]Oh fa sheezy. I don't wear hats. Baa baa cabbage.

>>Are you better at fine or gross motor skills?
[x]Huh?

>>Word association-- tell me the first word that comes to your mind for each of these superheroes:
Superman
[x]Original Superman by Pillar and the cross (can't you just see a picture of the cross against a sunset...oh how pretty....with a superman symbol where hte beams cross? Oh boy I'm gonna be in trouble soon!)
Aquaman
[x]Barbie songs
Green Lantern
[x]someone has a pic in their sig about a green something...HALLOWEEN!!
Flash
[x]Scowl. Don't take photos of me.
Martian Manhunter
[x]Who?
Batman
[x]car.
Wonder Woman
[x]shoes

>>Word association-- What's the first word that comes to your mind for each of these words:
Stain(ed)
[x]soul.
Telephone
[x]love
Wretched
[x]Mercy holds a wretched child close.
Doorknob
[x]white as a sheet = dead
Fjord
[x]Milford Sounds. Norway. and shortly after, the evil cars

g'evening folks.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Yeah Andrew you are right. The study of God is so important...I think my view of theology is massively tainted because of people like Luke and Travis(I'm not trying to put them down or anything...)...It's just like, they have taken all of the wonder out of their faith. They replace sheer amazement with some of the biggest words i've ever seen in my life!! That's why i'm so wary of it, i just never wanna be like that you know? -Adam

Yep. Exactly what I was trying to convey. I GREATLY respect Luke and Travis, and company, they have tremendous biblical knowledge, and they always try to base their views on scripture. Just that sometimes, it is better left unlabeled...

[Erika]

slap_j's totally awesome survey.

Could you beat your mom in a fight?
Yes but I'd hate to hurt her.

Would you fight your mom?
Nope. Absolutely not.

Do you worry about feminine itch?
*cough*

Do you worry about masculine itch?
nah, let the guys deal with it.

Do you like where you live?
yeah, it's home now

Why?
because I do.

Pop quiz, hotshot. There's a bomb on a bus. Once the bus goes 50 miles an hour, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?
Well...I wouldn't start the bus. Go figure. It hasn't started yet...and it won't. Nobody here on this bus knows how to drive it. We're staying put.

What was the last album you bought?
Love And Thunder by Andrew Peterson.

How is it?
So beautiful.

What was the last movie you saw?
Bruce Almighty.

And how was that?
So funny! SO good

Do you prefer "feel good" films, or ones that deal with weighty subject matter?
weighty subject matter. the rainmaker, the guardian. Anything Simon Baker.

Why is that?
Because I like Simon Baker...good looking and talented. And because I like things that make me think.

Better actor: Tom Hanks or Forest Whitaker?
Tom Hanks every time.

What is your favorite film from each of those guys?
Never heard of Whitaker. Tom Hanks...all of 'em.

If you had to take a bath in one, which would it be: Mayo or Mustard?
Mustard...it's not so oily. But I like baths in water, if you don't mind.

If you used to do drugs, what was your favorite drug experience?
I take Panadol regularly, it eases all my pain.

Could you kill someone if you had to?
If they hurt my friends. j/k...no. that might hurt them.

How would you prefer to kill someone if you had to?
Make them eat chocolate til they blew up. At least they'd enjoy their last moments on earth.

Are you special just that way you are?
Billy Joel loves me just the way I am. And Andrew Peterson says...
"Just as I am and just as I was...just as I will be, He loves me, He does...He showed me the way that He shed His own blood, He loves me, oh He loves me, He does." <-- I could never be an Arminist.

Who do you love the most besides Jesus?
Hannah, Napht, Simon, My Fambly.

Why?
Han lol, noone can help loving her. She's the best our own little Midas. Napht, brings out the silly streak in me like noone else in the universe can. Simon is the one I pray with and tell my troubles to. my fambly, because I do. BECAUSE I DO!!!

Are you afraid to cry?
Yes and no. I never cry. And I mean, never.

Who is your favorite poet?
Emily Bronte, Robert Frost, but right now, my favorites are Jono Hutchison (www.syrusrock.cjb.net) and Jeffrey Bryan Shoup (http://www.livejournal.com/users/alphatauri/)

Why?
Powerful, very powerful.

Are you more of a realist or idealist?
I'd like to say idealist, but I'm a realist.

Are paradigm shifts difficult for you?
Totally.

What do you think of Britney Spears?
I don't like her voice...and she's ugly.

If you were very wealthy, what would you do?
Buy my mummy a golden retriever. Buy a nissan skyline and drive all day. buy my mummy a log cabin by a lake somewhere, and invest in a trust fund for my sister.

Do you love Bono?
I've never met Bono, but I love chocolate.

What is your favorite instrument?
Guitar and piano

Can you do a back handspring?
I used to be able to...ah, my lost youth :S

Is nepotism a bad thing?
uhh...maybe?

What is something chilling you've read and can recall?
"I muse often on your sacrifices"

by Jeffrey Bryan Shoup

"I screamed again and again as I saw what did crawl from the middle of that fallen star you had carved in unnerving crimson on your basement floor. This spawn of distracted depravity, what was it there for? Why were you so easily lead astray by the shadows that await the passing of the day? Solomon was said to have subjected the demons, yet he fell by the hands of a legion...his wives turned his life and he died in idolatry. Does he wait beyond Heaven's gate for you and me? What was waiting for you on the threshold? Thirty pieces of silver or Ananias' gold? Sanctification interrupted...you had long since entrusted the colder winds with your soul. I screamed again and again as I saw what did crawl from the middle of that fallen star you had carved in unnerving crimson on your basement floor. What was it there for? The falling stars now bear your name. Do you dream of Damascus? I hear the tales of jinn echoing on the wind. Did the Great Satan of Mohammend's dream really refuse the worship of man out of devotion? What secrets do you expect to find on the bottom of the ocean? I screamed again and again. Gideon was a man who was allowed to test God...I for one have always wanted to lay a fleece on the lawn and let God moisten and dry the sod. Gideon died in idolatry...is he waiting to tell us his tale? Or does he scream again and again in the flames, yet his lungs refuse to fail? I screamed again and again. You and I are men, reflections of a greater reality...of a wondrous divinity! Don't throw that away on insanity! I screamed again and again as I saw what did crawl from the middle of that fallen star you had carved in unnerving crimson on your basement floor. When Samson claimed Dagon's temple with his life, was that the faith necessary to bring him into our Father's sight?"

Would you go grave robbing if you lost a bet and had to?
No.

Would you truly be sad if someone on CGR who you are friends with, but never met, died?
I'd be so gutted. Please don't kill Travis

Are you a fan of black humor?
Not really. I am a child of the light.

If you were saving yourself for your spouse, and you fell in love with and married someone who is physically incapable of such relations and has no means for any type of such an encounter, could you be faithful to that person?
Yeah.

Do you miss your childhood?
Some parts of it, yes. I miss not being able to be a child. I must make up for it now, now that I am too old to be a child. Sometimes I think all that died with the coming of age.

Do you like nacho cheese?

Yeha

[merryweather]

hey nice journal it's really cool!! yeah I hate starting it because it's like no one ever comes to it after a while! but hey I'll try and keep up with it it will be fun haha. wel yeah it's cool! have a great day!
Bethany