What's Your Doppelganger Look Like?

I recently watched one of my more recent favorite shows on TV: How I Met Your Mother. I was flipping channels after watching two...hmm...inspiring movies: Courageous and Facing the Giants and saw that HIMYM is on and so I stay on the channel to watch it. After being so dearly inspired by the movies, the episode of HIMYM is about whether or not Marshall and Lily are going to 'try' and have a baby. They decide that they need a 'sign' from above to help them decided to start trying so they are working through what can be that sign. Doppelgangers! That's it! At this point, the group has seen 4 of the 5 doppelgangers. When they find the 5th doppelganger, it'll be time for them to try and conceive a baby.

What is a doppelganger, you ask? Well, by definition, it is: a ghostly double or counterpart of a person. 

Back to the show. The group of friends have seen all but Barney's doppelganger who is known to put on costumes to woo women so when they think they find his doppelganger, they don't. So, you ask, what does this have to do with the title...with the moving movies that I watched before hand. WELL...what I didn't tell you was that there is a scene where Ted and Robin are together due to some unfortunate circumstance in Robin's life and Ted gives a little mini speech about doppelgangers. In it, he says, " eventually, over time, we all become our own doppelgangers, completely different people who happen to look like us. Five years ago, you were pretty cool but doppelganger Robin, she's pretty great."

I refer back to the title of this post...What's your doppelganger look like? Five years ago, I'm sure you were a pretty cool person. Since then, we've all hopefully grown, learned lots, gained wisdom, and have gotten closer to God. My question is, what's your doppelganger look like right now? What are you going to look like 5 years from now? Are you going to grow? Gain more wisdom from Christ? Get closer to and seek more of God in your life? Are you going to trust that your life is in His hands? OR are you going to stay dormant in who you are? Not exercise your faith? Be content with your relationship with God? And are you going to go where you want to go, be who you want to be instead of who God wants you to be?

 God wants more of us...no, He wants ALL of us. It's up to you to decide how much of yourself you'll give to Him. Give God all of yourself and see 5 years from now how much you'll have grown. See 5 years from now, what direction your life will take when you give God your all, your everything. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is a challenge for all of us to live by. It's simple but it applies. 1 Corinthians 10:31 " So whether you eat or drink or WHATEVER you do, do it ALL for the glory of God."

One last time, I ask,

What's Your Doppelganger Look Like? 

God's Love Never Fails - A true Valentine!

On a day when the phrases of 'Happy Valentines Day' or 'I Love You' are spun around a million times, I can't help but to go back to the Word of God and read about God's unconditional love and how He loves ME and He loves us all so much. 

Today is a day where some may find it hard to understand what REAL Love is; where they may be hurt, feeling down because they don't have a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend who tells them about how much they love each other, or just struggling with what love is BUT God has an answer for that. In the Bible, God has expressed His love for us multiple times. So, here's a poem put together about what our Father, our God, our Lord, and our Friend's Love is. 

Father's Love Letter

My Child ~
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32
                                                                                                   Love, Your Dad, Almighty God

Quoted from: http://www.habeeb.com/fathers.love.letter/fathers.love.letter.english.html

Christmas Time

we celebrate Jesus. 

 not because it’s a holiday. 

 we celebrate him because he is God. 

 and because his love for us is immeasurable 

 and unfathomable. 

 redemption is the ultimate picture of that love— 

 Jesus chose to die so that we might live with him forever. 

 and not in this forever. 

 but a forever in a world without pain, loneliness, hunger, death, and tears. 

 this Christmas, our hope and prayer is that we all might fall on our knees 

 and experience Jesus as our redeemer 

 as our Immanuel 

 and know his goodness 

 and perfect love.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

Feliz Navidad Everyone!

Flying Time and New Beginnings

Well, well, well. It's been almost 3 years since I have last posted on my blog. Where has time gone? Let me explain to you briefly what and where my life has gone and then I will get into the 'nitty gritty' of the new and very exciting stage of life that I have just started recently. After I went out west to Edmonton, I finished my schooling at Redeemer and graduated in the spring of 2009 with a BA in Religion/Theology(Youth Ministy) and a minor in Sociology. That summer/fall, I worked for 2 different landscaping companies and soon realized that I was bored and wasn't being challenged in landscaping the way I would've liked so, as a result of being layed off for the winter, I went on EI(unemployment). That winter, I started to ride around in a tow truck with someone I used to work in landscaping with because this is what he does now. I rode around with him that whole winter and decided that I could drive a tow truck. They had an opening and sure enough, I got the position. I was now a Tow Truck Driver. I was paid via commission and I spent ALOT of hours in the truck, more than what I thought I would. When people ask me how I liked my job...my response was always, "enjoyed the job but not the hours." I found it to be very stressful at times because the job took up so much of my time. I often said that between towing and volunteering in youth ministry at the church, they almost equaled 2 full time jobs.

While at Faith CRC, I spent 3 years volunteering with their youth group. These were 3 wonderful years with the youth. I loved every minute with them and they taught me so much. I went on my first mission trip with them, we had many fun activities, and we learned about God, ourselves, our neighbours, friends, and family. This little shout out is to all of you and Thanks for all that you have done and who you are. I wish you all the best!


This past summer, my sister got married. She and her husband, Shane, decided to have a destination wedding in the Dominican. Unfortunately, not a lot of people came but with those who did, we had a great time! I was blessed with having one of my best friends, Tim Dykstra, come. This was both of our first time down in the Carribbean and the weather did not disappoint. It was hot most days, with mainly sunny skies. I was able to partake in several adventures like scuba diving, going on a guided tour of the local area, and snorkeling.
The resort, The Majestic Colonial, also didn't disappoint. They hosted a beautiful ceremony for my sister and Shane and they took care of us. Our rooms were all right by the pool and everything was well within walking distance. It truly was a great experience.

This all leads up to what has happened to me over this past fall. In May 2011, I had a phone interview with a church called Dixons Corners Community CRC. I was shocked when the Pastor called me later that evening and said that they would like me to come and meet everyone in person and see the church for a weekend. I couldn't believe it. I went and met lots of people and was thrilled with the whole experience. Long story short, and after a couple interviews, I am now the new Youth Director of Community CRC! Very exciting! Life as a new Youth Director. Well, this is what I feel that God has called my life to, a life of Ministry and more specifically, youth ministry. I can't say too much as I have just started but so far, so good! Everyone has been so helpful with the transition of settling in to the new area. The church community has been a true blessing. The Youth Leaders here are so passionate to help the youth and their walks with Christ and just being there with and for them. Love it! I am excited to see where God will take me, the leaders, the youth, and this ministry. So, as I start this new adventure, I hope and plan to keep this blog updated more between fun events/adventures, Biblical posts, and whatever subjects just come to mind.

God has been SO Good! I am thankful for His many blessings and for the people He has placed in my life and how they have supported, blessed, and prayed for me over the years and even during this whole process. So, it's a long post but what do you expect when I haven't blogged anything for 3 years.

Cheers!

Banff Day Trip

Yesterday was another amazing day of travelling around Alberta. I have been so blessed this whole trip with weather that has been nothing short of spectacular. My friends Chris and Sarah live in a town about an hour south of Calgary so I went to go visit them. We then went to Banff for the day.
Banff is a real tourist friendly town. When I first arrived, I thought that I would feel awkward taking pictures in the town but it didn't take long until I saw other people doing the exact same as me. I just love the placement of the town because no matter where you look, you are surrounded by the beauty of mountains. I couldn't imagine what it must be like to wake up every morning and be reminded of God by way of seeing the mountains. I am intrigued by how each peak is completely different from another.
After lunch, the three of us took the gondola up Sulphur Mountain to the top. I felt like I was on top of the world. Seriously, on top of the world! I was short of breath while hiking to the old weather station which was on the top of the peak. The view was spectacular! I don't even think that the word spectacular can describe it. I really couldn't believe what I was seeing. I could see the TransCanada highway heading towards Lake Louise, the Bow River snaking through the valleys of mountains, the tree lines that never ended at a specific elevation but at very different spots along the mountains, the clouds running their course through the mountain peaks, it was all very breath-taking.
Well, I did do more that day in Banff. The three of us saw the Banff Springs Hotel. It's massive! What I didn't know is that it was built by the CP Rail. When I heard that, it made sense to me as of why it looks like a castle-sized CP Rail station which is essentially what it is. We then went to the hot springs. There is a strong, strong scent of sulphur but apparently the minerals in the water are really good for the skin and some have gone as far as to say that they have been healed because of the water.
I have once again been struck by amazement of God's creation and the thought and effort he put into it. I am thankful to have such a love for the outdoors and all that God has created.

Jasper National Park

Today was an amazing day! In the past, I have heard about the rockies and how majestic they really are. The snow, the tree lines, the animals, the villages, etc. but pictures can only do so much justice. I, like anyone else who has seen the rockies, suggest that you go see them because they ARE just as beautiful as any one person can describe.
I went today with my Dad's cousin Ron and his wife Monique. They took me to Jasper for the day to see the mountains since I have never seen them before. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. They were beautiful. So tall, so jagged, each cliff took on a different shape from another, and so...well, WOW! I felt 100% completely in my element. I am surprised my neck isn't more sore from me constantly turning my head to look at the consistently different cliff sides.
Oh how great and majestic are you Lord! I am left with a consumation of aweness at your beauty.
Psalm 95:1-7a
"Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

Flying

I had a moment. Correction, several moments. Just this past Friday, I flew to Edmonton to visit some relatives and friends in Calgary. I must admit that I was as nervous as could be about flying because it's been so long (or at least felt like it) since I last flew. I boarded the plane from the tarmac and found my seat and sat down. I was lucky enough to have an empty seat beside me and a nice older man at the end of my row. We talked a little and I found out he was an accountant from Edmonton running a seminar with his daughter. Well, once we got in the air(taking off is such a cool feeling), things slowly started to look smaller and smaller. I then had my first moment.
How amazing it is that God created me and can number each hair on my head when ALL of this creation is under His superiority. How amazing the whole earth must have looked from his perspective after He created it. How amazing it must have been for Him to see how humanity has progressed over time. I am but a small human being in such a massive place and here I am flying over the earth. I got a view (though it was night) of the earth from a birds perspective and was completely humbled by it. God cares about each one of us. He calls for his children to come to Him despite our failings, He loves us for who we are. I have found that as I risk my life day in and day out whether it be driving, flying, or climbing cliff edges that I shouldn't be, I am learning more and more each day to put my complete trust in God. All of me, all of who I am, is His. For without Him, I am nothing. As the Apostle Paul writes, it is continually time for the old to leave and for the new to come out; put to death the old self and all the new self to be born again.
All this from a flight...it's amazing how God communicates with us