The Genius of Ancient Man is here!

Hey all! You will recall, if you have been a long time reader of my blog, that I was in Wyoming for 6 months working on a book with Pastor Don and a team from JHBC. (read posts about the project here, here, here, and here) Well...after over 2 years of research and another year of writing and editing, the book is done! If you would like to see the finished product, look it up at Amazon.com or check out this link from Answers in Genesis! There is a short promo video on the right hand side that is pretty fun.

So blown away by what God is already doing with this book and excited to see it for myself! Thank you for your prayers and support!

Too blessed

A week ago I told you all of my upcoming adventure: my fears, my prayers, my confidence in God. I thought I would update you on how He has truly blessed me this week.

I am thoroughly enjoying my course! I am learning so much, far more than I really thought I would in just a few days. Truly these professors know how to pack loads of information in just a short period of time.

I get up each day around 6 and I am headed out by 6:40 to the train. My journey continues to the busy Waterfront station. The masses of people the disembark from the transit move like a never-ending, unstoppable force. One little face in the crowd; I feel small and yet part of something bigger. Footsteps from shiny heels, scuffed sneakers, and polished leather soles join together in the muffled cacophony of noise, nearly overwhelmed by the train whistles, cellphone talkers, car engines and horns of the great city.

Up the block to the university I go and then up the escalator to my class where I am met with the smiles and greetings of now familiar faces. I know that God hand-picked my classmates. Each one of them with a unique story. I am intrigued by the truly different people He has brought together. Of course, none of my classmates would give God the credit for our new found acquaintance with one another but I know without a doubt that He has a purpose for each of us in this class together. I don't know what it is but I pray for courage each day to be His light in that place.

Six hours of class and an hour lunch break later I am back on the train and headed home. Exhausted and ready to relax, I instead work on assignments. My excitement to experiment with new knowledge and tools keeps weariness at bay until I can fall into bed.

I've watched with exasperation and yet a smile as my room slowly becomes more and more cluttered with news articles and brochures in addition to the general untidiness that I don't have time to combat. College life I suppose. I'm not too worried about it. How bad can it get in 5 weeks???

Suffice to say, my first week has been a delight - exhausting, stressful at times, but truly an exciting and enjoyable time. I am so very thankful that God lead me here and I cannot wait to see how He continues to work and teach me during this time. He truly has taken care of all the details.

As part of my course I am require to participate quite heavily in multiple social media platforms leaving me very little free time for this blog. I hope to keep it up, posting at least once a week. If you would like to follow my new blog, supposedly "professional," feel free. I'd love to have you stop by there or my new Facebook page. Personally, this blog will probably always be my favourite place to write. For here, I am truly myself.

Thanks for reading and spending a little time with me! Hope your week is filled with God's blessing as well.

Tomorrow...

Well I had grand intentions of writing a few more detailed blog posts about my trip this summer but time, it would appear, has gotten away from me. Perhaps I will yet come back to the topic but for now, I am about to embark on a whole new adventure.

A train.
A big city.
A fast paced intensive course.

New people.
New places.
New challenges.

I've been waiting anxiously for this day to arrive and now it is only hours away. I am taking my first big step towards a career in journalism... I am tempted to dissolve into tears of anxiety; to drown in the dread of the unknown. But...

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

I believe in God's promises. I can not thank Him enough for His provision and His peace and His protection. I am blessed beyond imagining. He has promised to guard my heart and mind in Christ and I believe He does and will continue to.

I know that He has lead me here. I know taking this course is my next step. Now I know I need to give God the little things that have me worrying. Because He is sovereign over them too!

I remember, on our trip this summer, being fascinated by the little things; the tiny details God has designed in creation. I marvel over the work of little caterpillars.

I stare in awe at the intricacy of a flower.

I study the tiny designs in the leaves.

God's glorious fingerprints are everywhere; the evidence of His care and precision and attention is all around me in the inanimate world. How much more will He give His care to the details of my life? Small things like getting a good sleep tonight, arriving at the train on time, finding parking, where I sit in class, who will sit beside me, who my professors are, and what they shall teach me...all this is in His hands and will follow according to His sovereign plan.

And so. Tomorrow is coming. No sense in worrying. I rest in Him. May His will be done, for His glory alone.

Would appreciate your prayers as I embark on this journey.

ten days

Ten days. I will be home in ten days.

I don't know if these tears that well up in my eyes come from joy and anticipation or if perhaps they testify to the ache in my heart when I think of leaving this place, these people, this task I have been blessed with. The past almost 18 months spent in Wyoming have impacted my life in so many ways and I hate to leave it. The last 5 1/2 months I have spent working on this book, serving at the school, have been such an incredible blessing. What a joy it has been to serve my Lord in this place. I have enjoyed each and every day with its specific trials and delights. I admit that I walk into this next chapter of life with much apprehension about my purpose. I never want to stop serving God, glorifying Him with all that I am and do and that's been so easy here. I know that I can do that wherever I am but as of yet, it's just not clear to me what I need to be doing upon my return. That's nerve-wracking to me, but really it's just another opportunity to trust my Father and His plans.

"And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9:10)

And so in these last ten days, the final pages of this amazing chapter God has written in my life, I will continue to serve, to love, to find joy in each moment, praising Him for this gift. I will let myself cry but I will not dwell in unhappiness. I will let my heart ache but with joy, storing up these memories as precious treasures. And I will look forward to the change, with a firm confidence in God's provision, with excitement for His plans for me, whatever they may be.

Ten days.

Eight thousand, seven hundred and sixty hours

 

One year later; it feels like more and yet sometimes just a day

And there's still nothing they can do, nothing they can say

Surely they can't think it's really any easier

Surely they don't think you've healed

Just because you don't cry as much

Just because you keep the pain concealed

Even you think you should move on

Even you know life is just unfair

But half of you is still in pieces

Because half of you is no longer there

Healing can't erase the ache

Time can't mend the scar

Even as you learn to live again

You're still finding who you are

One year later, you're still breathing, still getting up each day

You know it's only because God has been with you all the way

Human strength just isn't enough

Human strength cant get you through

But joy is found in Him alone

And comfort from He who carries you

Even though it's still a struggle

Even though the pain's not gone

His sufficiency is proven in your life

His mercies are new each dawn

Truly you are forever changed

Truly life will never be the same

But you know for sure how it will end

And you can keep that hope aflame

365 slow days. 52 long weeks. 1 impossible year.

You're really just 8760 hours closer to never shedding a tear

Prepare to Believe

It's impossible to really describe a walk through the creation museum. All the emotions you feel as you take step after step through it...it's hard to describe. It's like walking through our world and yet not - more like standing helplessly watching it revolve around you. It's like being a part of our history but not - more just watching from the outside. The exhibits come alive and it feels like it's you that is frozen in one state. I don't know how I appeared on the outside but my heart was in turmoil as the minutes turned to hours and I was drawn through the different scenes. Slowly I began to see. Slowly I began to understand. Slowly I saw our world, our history, through different eyes.

This is one of the very first exhibits you see and when I looked up at it and read the two quotes, it really hit me hard how pathetic we are. Descartes' famous line looks so weak next to God. With all our knowledge, our stacks of books, our years of searching, mankind is still so far from understanding. We are helpless to explain our purpose, our very existence. And yet we have such a high opinion of ourselves. We think we have accomplished so much. "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14 emphasis added). In contrast God says"...I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me" (Isaiah 44:6); "...I, the Lord, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone" (Isaiah 44:24); I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God...that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these" (Isaiah 45: 5-7)

The questions resonate deep inside because we've all asked at least on of them at some point in our lives. Taking the time to stand and take in the devastation that follows from the wrong starting point really helps you to appreciate the hope presented by the truth.

This exhibit displays some of the ways God brought His Word together

Satan has been attacking God's Word since the beginning, since the garden. He questions God's truthfulness, God's authority; he tries to get us to doubt and many times he succeeds. Just read through a few of the attacks on Scripture throughout history and you will be astounded at how the evil one has made this such a priority. After all, if we doubt God's Word, how can we trust the God who wrote it?

Reject God and our world falls apart. Walking through the hopelessness and destruction caused by a life in rebellion against God was depressing and humbling. We are truly, wandering in purposelessness without Christ.

After this dark room of sad reality, you leave our present world, walking through a dark tunnel filled with blinking stars and start right at the beginning...

Adam naming the animals in Eden

Pure innocent bliss. The garden is beautiful, the music is soothing. Everything is perfect, unique and good. I love this exhibit because it just shows the two amazing created beings, living in pure joy and yet above them the snake is watching, planning, waiting. Satan is never absent. He is ever ready to make a move and destroy.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)

The contrast from this quiet place of happiness and peace into the dark, bleak rooms following is an amazing portrayal of the devastation caused by sin. You begin to walk in a subtle descent as the perfect world dissolves into one of terror and violence. I shuddered inside as I walked past angry animals, Abel's murder, a room accosting me with images and sounds of fighting,and  bombs,and  floods, sickness, anger, jealousy...black black sin. My heart ached and I felt tears welling up.

And then the ark. The beautiful yet tragic story floods my heart with sadness but also hope. Righteous judgement is placed alongside unwarranted grace. The contrast in this miniature display is clear. I stood studying the tiny desperate people, startled at the detail added to each one. They were real human beings who rejected God and faced His wrath. And I can't help but think how it is really no different today. Are you on the ark, safe from destruction? Or clinging to the rocks, facing impending doom? 

And then...the new start. A new, clean world. The jagged mountains, a testimony of the past destruction, all around them, Noah and his family praise God among the flowers. What a devastating truth must have hit them as they walked out of the ark. The only human beings alive on the whole earth, nothing familiar, starting over by themselves.

Yet, it's sad to think that it wasn't long before mankind again rebelled collectively at Babel. And then imagine the grief of separation; the fear in all the confusion, the anger, the resentment, as man is scattered around the globe.

Will we ever get it?

The walk-thru exhibits end with a short but convicting film of the life of Christ, the Lamb of God, the Last Adam. And I walked out quiet. Contemplating all I had seen and read and felt. It was overwhelming. Not only amazingly well put together and detailed and beautiful, but if you let it, a walk through the museum will touch your heart and teach you truths in a way you've never known them before.

I really can't tell you any thing more. I mean, I could go on and on but really, you must visit this place yourself to understand. Even if you've grown up in a Christian home and think you know all the answers, all stories, all the true history...go. You will be glad you did. You will be encouraged in your faith, strengthened in the truth, and emboldened to share.

And even if you have never touched Bible, never stepped inside a church...go. Just check it out. What can it hurt? I must warn you though, if you go, prepare...to believe.

...and now it's over

ya, um, sorry about that. So basically I was WAY too busy on this fantastic trip to have time to blog about the busy happenings. So I shall do my best to give you the highlights without boring you to death or giving my hands cramps from typing.

So, where to begin? Well I guess I already wrote that part...okay so...the rest of the trip..."let me splain...no, there is too much, let me sum up."

Fourteen days
Almost 4000 miles
9 states
4 very different people crammed in one vehicle for hours on end...

And there you have it. Use your imagination :)

Jess and I still cheery early on in the trip

the clan of us who were at the Creation Museum

Riding a camel, no big deal :)

Front of the Creation Museum

Yay for the fantastic four!

Always finding new positions to sleep in the car

Okay, so I have made a decision here. I shall turn this trip into a series of posts written over the next few days, so keep coming back if you want to hear more :)

In this post I would like to share with you one part of our trip that is ironically opposite to the post title: our visit to New Leaf Publishing Group where we met with the editors/publisher of our book! Truly, this project is really just beginning!

We drove out to their quaint location in the middle of the Arkansas countryside. (I didn't even know we were going to Arkansas, I thought New Leaf was in Branson this whole time so that was an interesting surprise.) We were given the grand tour of the offices by Tim Dudley, the publisher, and then had a 2 hour meeting with the editors, marketing people, and graphics people. It was a surreal moment, let me tell you. Put yourself in my shoes if you can:

Nineteen years old, walking into a meeting with a major publishing company, holding in my hands a short manuscript that I've slaved over for 3 months, passionate about what it says but worried to hear the diagnosis on how well I've done. No idea what to expect, smiling, shaking hands, mostly silently listening to Pastor Don present our book, watching people's expressions, trying not to appear like the child I feel like inside, inadequate and foolish for thinking I know what I'm doing. I alternate from nervous, stomach in knots, fiddling insecurity to a calm resting in Jesus, confident that I have been working for Him and He is in control of this book so it doesn't matter what this editor says.

So the moment comes when Laura, the main editor, speaks up. And her words blow us all away: "You have fulfilled your goals and purposes in this manuscript." She goes on to say there are no holes and no glaring errors that she can see right away, just little suggestions she has. She shares excitedly with the whole room how she thinks our book is valuable because it not only brings all different areas of ancient man together as one picture but it has relevancy in today's world. Our book has purpose and it accomplishes what we want it to get across. I am barely comprehending her words as I sit there, looking around the room. We did it? It's good? There aren't any holes? I'm sitting there smiling but I don't really know what I am feeling. Craig, the other editor is smiling his face off and can't say anything bad about it. The marketing people are excited to hear all about what we have to say. Laura wants to hear about our whole experience writing it. Pastor Don is saying that he wants Laura and me to stay in contact, for me to the go-to person between our team and theirs and I'm sitting there trying to remember that I'm only 19 and this is all actually happening. I've just had a meeting with an editor, soon to be OUR editor, who loves our book and hasn't criticized my writing and...I'm ready to jump out of my skin with excitement, bewilderment, awe.

Truly, God has brought me to this place and I am so humbled by how He has used me. I never, in my wildest dreams, thought this would be happening, never mind at this age, without any schooling! This was so not in my plan but God definitely had a different plan and it's only in His power that it was accomplished. That He is using little me and the gifts He gave me to write something, to get this message out to people, is just too much for me to comprehend. I'm doing what I've always dreamed of doing: writing something of value that will be read and will make a difference, Lord willing. I have dreamed of writing for Jesus for so long that I can barely digest the fact that it is actually happening and before I'm even twenty! I am SO blessed by this experience, so honoured to be a tool in His hand, so excited to see what He does with this book, with our team, with the rest of my life.

So, just as an encouragement to you all: Keep dreaming. Keep giving your hopes and dreams to God. Live each day for Him; don't be afraid to follow His leading even if it doesn't seem logical or practical (or financially wise). He will provide for you if you follow His plan for your life. He is in control and can accomplish what He wants to be done. Sometimes I think we have been so ingrained by our culture that we have to do everything a certain way, in a certain order, a sequence of events, a checklist that must be fulfilled before you success can be reached. But God doesn't work that way. He is beyond time and money and the world. Just read His Word, and listen to the testimonies of those around you. He is working.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" - Isaiah 55:8-9

The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps - Proverbs 16:9

Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand - Proverbs 19:21

More than Thanksgiving

This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.You are my God, and I give thanks to You; You are my God, I extol you. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. - Psalm 118: 24, 28-29

Thanksgiving has come again, well Canadian Thanksgiving that is (if you'd like to know more about our Thanksgiving check out last year's post). Second year in a row that I have been in the United States. It's so odd, having all my friends back home on break, my family camping, everyone celebrating ...except me. Yet, it is still a day for thanksgiving. I mean really, "this is the day which the Lord has made"!!! No matter where I am and what day it is, God has made this day, He has brought the sun up over the horizon, He has given me another breath and I can "rejoice and be glad in it"!

At church we are going through a James McDonald series on attitudes and I found it ironic that yesterday was about contentment, in contrast to covetousness. It applied so perfectly to thanksgiving! He defined contentment as "satisfaction in God's sufficient provision; trust in what one has and seeking nothing more". It was really challenging to look at life that way. To realize that God has given me everything that I need and not only should I be thankful, but content. I think we can sometimes give thanks but yet still have a list of things we are waiting for, aiming for or dissatisfied with. We are grateful for what we have but we aren't content with it. 1 Timothy 6:7 points out that we can take nothing out of this world so why do we place so much emphasis on it!?!? This passage not only teaches us not to love the things of this world, but also points us to eternity. Think about it! The short time we have on earth (as James says,just a vapour (4:14)), is not a time for us to just get as much as possible out of it. We aren't here to store up treasures! Seriously, I tell myself, let enough be ENOUGH. Moreover, do I truly believe that God is enough? that He is my all in all? because then, truly I should be content.

And so I challenge all of you, along with myself, to not just give thanks but to be content. If you find yourself discontent, realize that God can change your attitude. Seek contentment, pray for it. Know that you do have enough in what He has provided - say it "I have enough". And give thanks today for "He is good [and] His lovingkindness is everlasting".

Lavender Sky

sunlight kisses the mountains as the shadows grow long

walking under a clear sky that's still holdin' on

to summer, though green is slipping away

overtaken by yellows, browns, reds – more everyday

though even the warm breeze denies the truth

as I crunch those first leaves I see the proof

that those days are long gone, just memories now

but I've still got the smiles that they endow

and I can look up with joy at the brightly clothed trees

knowing change is beautiful, just like the leaves

in a sudden rush of wind they come cascading down

tickling my cheek and painting the ground

where they scamper about, first here then there

and I know I could be like them, carefree if I dare

to follow His leading, to embrace the changes He brings

to know, for believers, that He works all things

together for good and just like the colours of fall

He can paint a new picture when I follow His call

the waving trees seem to applaud as I reach this conclusion

the grasses nod in agreement; this joy isn't delusion

I take a deep breath of that colourful air and I sigh

and praise God for life, tonight, under the lavender sky

Just Look Around...

We were half way up the trail to Paintbrush Divide when Kenton made a statement that really hit me. He had just stopped for a brief rest and looked around saying, "Wow, sometimes you just gotta stop and look where you are!" This was in reference to the amazing view, the awesome surroundings in which we had found ourselves, hiking in the Teton backcountry.

As I too stopped and took in the amazing view, the Grand standing soberly in the distance, Lake Solitude resting in stillness and silence at the end of the canyon, the blue sky spotted with fluffy white clouds, I was struck by how often I go through life without looking up and around at where I am. How often do I just trudge along following the path in front of me. I follow after the boots in front of me, doing what others have done before. I maneuver around the obstacles in my path, trusting God for a way. I pace myself up the steep inclines, relying on God for strength and knowing He'll get me to the top. I pick my way carefully among the teetering rocks, looking to God for guidance with every step.

But though I am working my way through life, trusting God the whole way, I often forget to stop, and look around, to realize WHERE He has brought me and to praise Him for how He was led me here! Sometimes I focus so much on the little things and yes, God has proven unbelievably faithful in those things, leading me step by step along His path, that when I look up and look back at where I have come, I realize with new appreciation how MUCH His guidance has affected my life.

For instance, each day I spend here, working on this book, I am again and again coming to Him for guidance and wisdom because I feel so inadequate and incapable of doing this thing but I am also so thankful for the opportunity and how much I am learning. And then, on this backpack trip it hit me that not only has God been teaching me to trust Him while writing this book, but He is teaching me to trust Him with every aspect of my future because I have NO IDEA where He will lead me next. I look back on myself, a year from now and I see a timid girl, excited to start a new adventure at Bible school but insecure and thinking I had to plan out my whole life. Now, I find myself back in this amazing place, totally at home, able to encourage others, giving my life over completely to God's will and not trying to force my own plans. I find myself overwhelmed with God's blessings. Not only has He led me back here, given me a project which I am passionate about to work on for His glory, but He has blessed me with innumerable opportunities like this, my third backpack trip into the Tetons!

So when Kenton said, "you just gotta stop and look where you are", I did stop and it hit me: here I am, in the middle Grand Teton National Park, hiking with an amazing group of people, in Wyoming! This time last year, I thought I'd be sitting in a classroom listening to lectures about unimportant people, places, and times. God works in mysterious and mighty ways which we can never anticipate. So I encourage you, to not only focus on each and every day, but to take some time to look around at where God has you; to praise Him for what He has done in your life and for where He has led you; to realize that each day that you have been trusting Him has been leading you higher and further towards His ultimate goal and plan for your life.

"and the Lord will continually guide you , and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail" - Isaiah 58:11

They believed what????

So I have been researching a lot lately for the Ancient Man book and come across everything from the fascinating to the disturbing to the creepy-McCreeps! From diabolical religious practices to uncanny resemblances to the Bible these ancient religions and myths I've been studying are constantly throwing me for a loop.

Check out this excerpt from an ancient Hindi manuscript:

Let us meditate on God, His glorious attributes, who is the basis of everything in this universes as its Creator, who is fit to be worshiped as Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient and self existent conscious being, who removes all ignorance and impurities from the mind and purifies and sharpens the intellect

I cannot help but be astounded by this description of a god so similar to the One true God! Hinduism does not currently recognize a single concept of god but more the supreme god manifests himself in many ways. Seeing this knowledge of the true attributes of God in ancient religions really gets you thinking.

Or this ancient Egyptian hymn to Amen-Ra:

Adoration be to Thee, O Maker of the gods, who hast stretched out the heavens and founded the earth!...Lord of eternity, maker of the everlastingness...creator of light...He heareth the prayer  of the oppressed one, he is kind of heart to him that calleth upon him, he delivereth the timid man from the oppressor

I am reminded of the Psalms:

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me of my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer - Psalm 4:1

Even the gruesome human sacrifices of the Aztec people have the roots in the misinterpretation of some interesting spiritual allegories:

My well loved and tender son...know and understand that thy house is not here...This house wherein thou art born is but a nest, an inn at which thou has arrived, thy entry into this world; here dost thou bud and flower...thy true home is another

I am reminded that God calls us to live in this world but our true home is with Him:

If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. - John 15:19

For our citizenship is in heaven... - Philippians 3:20 

Another tradition from Teotihuacan (ancient Aztec city) states:

When we die, truly we die not because we will live, we will rise, we will continue living, we will awaken...

 This seems to come back to the concept of eternal life after death which we are promised through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain - Philippians 1:21

For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord - Romans 6:23 

Somehow these ancient religions knew something of the truth. Of course, this study of ancient man gives a lot of evidence as to this fact. The book we are writing clearly outlines how Noah would have handed down the truths of God to his children and their children and so on but as the generations go on, things are bound to become distorted. Especially with the rebellion at Babel and the subsequent dispersion of peoples around the globe. It would be impossible for the truth to remain intact without divine intervention as God did with the nation of Israel. Even then, that chosen nation fell into sin and rebellion of God. However it is still awe-inspiring that the most obscure religion, the most diabolical, the most bizarre, has some concept of the truth. For truly, there is nothing new under the sun and as Pastor Don teaches at the Bible College, "Satan can't create, he can only pervert". Indeed Satan has avidly perverted God's message to the nations but there is still some truth left. It brings to mind the verse in Acts when Barnabas and Paul spoke to the people at Lystra:

"In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." (14:16-17)

Truly mankind is without excuse yet we continually "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). How great and terrible will be the day God judges the earth for our rebellion.

Changes

It's odd, being here. A year ago, I was an anxious, shy new student at JHBC, excited yet terrified of what the year would bring. I remember the almost immediate feeling of belonging, of love from the staff and awe for these mountains which have grown so familiar (and only more adored). And so, this year, as a watch a new group of young people orient themselves in this place I call home, taking my place as it were, I have mixed feelings of melancholy nostalgia - wishing for my year back, profound thanksgiving to God for where He has brought me, and excitement for the new students to be blessed the way I was. It was such a cool experience being on the other end of things, showing students around, answering questions, encouraging them. I really enjoyed it and I am having a blast getting to know these people.

It's a slightly smaller class this year, 26 students: 14 guys, 12 girls. So far, they seem really fun. They have finally desegregated themselves which is nice - the first few days where uber awkward, hopefully that is behind us now!

We've had some pretty fantastic thunderstorms lately and I just have to say, I don't know what it is but I love 'em! From the rumbling warning as they build up over the mountains to the brilliant flashes of light to the sudden downpour of rain sheeting outside the window. I love to walk out in the sheets of water and feel the shock of being instantly soaked! Anyways, that was just a short plug I had to put in for thunderstorms. I mean, if I had to miss out on all the swimming, water sports and camping I usually enjoy with my family (*tear*) then at least I got to enjoy some FABULOUS thunderstorms!

Saying Goodbye again

It's official. I'm terrible with goodbyes. I mean seriously, you'd think it'd get easier...nope...

Last Thursday I had to say goodbye to Natalie and that was hard enough but then this morning we bid farewell to the Rohrers and wow, I just lost it! It's unbelievable how much they all have come to mean to me and it was so hard to see them go. The last three weeks have been a blast, a huge blessing from God and it was amazing.  I'm so thankful for all the fun times we had from working in the kitchen to volleyball to late night card games in the classroom.

It felt so odd today not having them around. I kept thinking momentarily that they were still here and then I'd miss them  more and everyone kept asking me if I was okay because I looked a little down and then I would get all emotional again...probably had something to do with staying up all night and therefore being incredibly tired...

As hard as it is to say goodbye, I know it's all in God's plan. I'm excited to continue working on the book and a few other projects for the school and just see how God works through the rest of the summer. It has already been so different than I ever imagined. My God is truly amazing. What a comfort to know that He has a plan, the ultimate plan and to rest in the assurance of His love. I have seen Him working in my own life so much and directing me so clearly; I feel inexpressibly blessed to be His child.

Find your inner woman 15: the writer...editor...organizy person...

So, as it is my third day into my new occupation, I figured it's about time I wrote about it. That's write (hehe)...I have begun work on THE BOOK. (We were discussing last night, to our sudden dissatisfied realization, that the book has no title...I mean, we can't just call it THE ANCIENT MAN BOOK - THAT would be sure to draw readers! Unfortunately however, the whole project has been unofficially named just that: the Ancient Man Project, sometimes abbreviated AM - which I've always found confusing because that immediately makes me think we are working on a morning project... HEY we could call Pastor Don the AMPM...the ancient man project manager...okay, maybe not... Sooooo until further notice, I will continue to refer to the...project...as the ancient man book.)

ANYWAYS, as I said, it is my third day in and I am having a blast. I mean, it's not exactly the kind of summer day in the sun most people envision as a party (there's no warm sand squishing between my toes, no cool water to float around in, no beach balls or sunscreen or rock and roll or barbequed hot dogs or chips) but the joy of working on something I am passionate about keeps me high all day. (And I still get to relax with friends in the sun... when we all aren't working, and I've already been out to the rodeo...watching Annie's little ones, and up to the lake...where we all got eaten by monster hordes of mosquitoes, and my chillaxin music makes my working hours basically a party and a half.) Really, I suppose a lot of people would not find this type of summer exactly to their liking but it has so far been a huge blessing to me. I am praising God each day for bringing me out here, for surrounding me with so many great people and entrusting me with a project in which I can serve Him the best I can.

Back to the project, I have started off with Pastor Don's (PD) stuff, basically the first section of the book which explains the premise of our research and the biblical base that we are basing our study off of. I've had the enjoyable challenge of figuring out how to organize, rewrite, and edit ten pages of fascinating work. What is my job in this project exactly? Well, it's hard to explain. See, I'm not really a researcher (though I did have to do a little research before writing the preface as...neither I or PDknew what exactly one writes in a preface) and I'm not exactly a writer (as I'm really just taking other people's work and reorganizing or editing it) but I'm not really an editor (because I'm doing way too much additional writing and research)... Basically, I do whatever comes along. If the writing is already done by a member of the team, I just go through it so it flows with everything else; if the writing needs to be done, I write from scratch; if we need more research, I engage in some Googling. The team calls me "wordsmith" which is an shorter, easier title to explain I suppose but seems a bit exaggerated (it refers to an expert in the use of words or a person skilled in the use of words) but I suppose with God guiding me, I can embrace this job of wordsmithing, knowing He is the ultimate Wordsmith out there!

I'm finding it both exhausting and exhilarating and I've only just started! It is a little daunting...okay, let me be completely honest...a LOT daunting, rather terrifying actually, to think of all the stuff that's got to be done but I don't really let myself do that. I'm taking this one step at a time because that's all I can do. I've almost finished my first run through of PD's work and I think it's given me a really good understanding of what he wants this book to look like. I'm really excited to see the rest and get started working it all together. I really think God is going to use this book for His purposes and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Please continue to pray for me and the whole team as the summer progresses and the book comes together. We really want this to reflect the truth of Scripture and to be a great resource (and wake-up call) for Christians. It is evident that God is doing most the work here and we are all just blessed to be tools in His hands.

Until next time, I remain yours,
          
            Wordsmith, tool of the Master

Reflections: the Bride, the Groom, the Purpose

You're my beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
Our Love it unites us
And it binds you to me
It's a mystery 

(Beloved, Tenth Avenue North)

I recently attended my cousin's wedding, actually I was given the honour of standing up with her as a bridesmaid on that perfectly beautiful day. As I marveled at God's blessing in given us such amazing weather, reveling in the warmth of the sun on my face and shoulders after so many days of clouds and rain; 

as I looked out at all the smiling audience gathered to celebrate the uniting of two people; as I glanced over at the nervous groom awaiting his bride; as I joined everyone in turning to see our first glimpse of my stunning cousin walk down the staircase, eyes following her slowly up the aisle, her face fairly glowing with joy; as I listened to the teaching from Scripture, the vows of promise, the declaration of a new couple become one...I was impressed with the truths of God symbolized in the marriage of a man and woman. 

Though these things were not spoken of explicitly, after learning the depth of meaning there is in marriage at JHBC, I could think of little else. God has blessed me with a great memory and a joy of learning which allowed me to really soak up Pastor Don's message on marriage back in September. This being my first wedding since then, it all came rushing back and I was struck again at the wonder of God's plan. Back in Genesis 1 when God created man, it was in His image - both male and female. I find it fascinating how this image of God is not complete without BOTH man and woman. A man has certain characteristics of God (protection, leadership, wisdom, guidance etc.) and a woman has certain characteristics (nurturing, compassion, mercy etc.) and only together do they portray the complete image of God. Both are equal, both are valuable and because the woman came from a man, they have the potential to be united. It is interesting to note that the woman was obviously in the plan since God didn't have to remake Adam when He created Eve. Eve was created for Adam, God gave her to Adam, just as the father gives away the bride today in our wedding ceremonies. 

The roles of husband and wife in marriage are also so amazing to think about because of the truths they display to the world about Jesus and the church. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, not all men, but to their own husbands (Eph. 5: 22) as they submit to Christ. As a symbol of the church, which is in submission to Christ, "wives ought to be to their husbands in everything" (Eph. 5:24). And husbands, in turn, as a picture of Christ are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. It is a such a beautiful picture, the husband, the head of the marriage, but giving up everything for his wife as Christ gave up Himself for the church; and the wife, willingly and joyfully living in submission to her husband (so long as this submission matches submission to Christ). 

Now, I'm not married so I don't really know what that kind of relationship is like, but I am a child of God, part of His church and in submission to Christ. I have been blessed to receive His love for me, His life for mine and am learning each day to subject myself to Him.  I praise God for giving us the picture of marriage, for blessing me with so many wonderful married couples as examples in my life and for being my Beloved, my Saviour, and the One who sanctifies me. 

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. 

            Ephesians 5:25-27

And so as the wedding went on, this is what was in my mind and I was blessed by these reflections on how God has purpose and meaning for everything, every aspect of our lives. I was also a little saddened because, as we all know, for the most part, these beautiful truths are not displayed or lived out in our world today. Women do not like to be submissive to anybody and men are often not an example of any kind of love, nevermind a self-sacrificing Christ-like love. Marriage has been attacked so much and perverted into something that it is not. It is easy to be cynical about it, but God created marriage and it is a beautiful thing when lived out the way He planned it.

This is what we live for

So I was watching the game last night (what else would any respectable Canadian being doing!?!?! hehe) and the banners hanging from the ceiling caught my eye. They boldly proclaimed:

 

THIS WHAT WE LIVE FOR

It really got me thinking. Of course, the stereotypical Canadian life revolves around hockey, snow and saying "eh" but has it gotten so far that we would willingly claim that hockey is our purpose? Our life IS hockey? It seems rather a sad thing to live for and seeing these proud banners hanging in the Canucks home arena seemed rather ironic as they have never won the Cup, but I suppose you can live for something even if you don't always win at it. However, I have to ask what the consequences are? It seems to me that you are only setting yourself up for disappointment if your life revolves around something so inconsequential as a sport. 

Yet, we all have these useless idols don't we. We all proudly wave our banner declaring that we live for something fantastic. Whether that be wealth or family, a job or a holiday, our country or ourselves, world peace or world domination. We all have a passion that consumes us. We were built to live for something and we strain to find something worthy of our lives. The sad thing is, nothing is worthy of such devotion save One. How dare we worship the creation when the Creator has revealed Himself to us, a personal God who has made Himself accessible to mankind; a Saviour who gave everything according to His plan and His glory, that we might be redeemed. 

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth...all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" Colossians 1: 16-17

So THIS is what we should be living for! He is the only thing worthy and the only reason we even have for living. Yet it is easy to forget and get distracted by the things of this world. And so I pray that you and I "may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" Colossians 1:10.

What do you live for?

Reflections: Sunrise, sunset

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

It's officially one week until graduation. 

Last night, I was lying in bed, not sleeping, thinking too much. I cried.

It seems fitting that this year should end the way it began - with tears. 

Reflecting back on the beginning, it is unbelievable what God has done in my life this year. Take a trip with me, back to August 2010...

It's not like I was going to a foreign country, I mean, ya it's the US, but growing up 10 minutes from the Washington border, it's not much different from home. Perhaps, it was the four day trip, stretching out mile after mile, that made it seem as if I was pretty much leaving the solar system. I remember staring out the window those long hours on the road, seeing the landscape change, feeling like I was making a huge mistake as my heart kept squeezing and I felt more and more sick. Watching my family drive away, down that long dirt road on Aug. 26 was the worst moment of my life (little did I know it was really the beginning of the best year of my life!). I felt completely alone, abandoned and scared. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to stay and there was no way I was going to quit but it was a huge thing for me. I remember Jen was there to give me a hug and Jessica came out and hugged me too. I spent that first day gulping for air as if trying to stay above the flood waters of my own tears. The first week wasn't much better, I felt so unknown, if that makes any sense. I was quiet, reserved, just trying to keep from bursting into tears in my insecurity. I would get through each day, slowly opening up, like a reluctant flower in the spring (...well, spring where I come from...there seems to be a lack of that generally natural phenomenon in this area...). I would barely eat because I was so emotional (that changed fast enough). It was a few days before I could go without crying at night, just because I felt so alone and insecure.

Looking back on that girl at the beginning of the year, I barely recognize her. I understand her though, and it's odd because I can almost feel those same emotions again as I think back on them. I've always been an emotional person - like REALLY emotional. This can show itself in being super dramatic, outgoing, giggly, passionate...or it can be expressed in anger, tears or extreme quietness...Perhaps some day I will level out (which will probably make life easier for everyone). Anyways, at the symbolic "sunset" of my year here, I can only look back on those days with appreciation for what God has done and how He totally pulled me through. I always knew He would and that is the only reason I could even think of coming here. I would go through those hard days over and over again to experience the blessing I have had this year at JHBC. Jackson has become like a second home to me, these people have become my family and it hurts too  much to think of leaving them. I may see them again, but it will never be like this. These 9 months were a gift from God which I will never forget and will never cease to praise Him for.

Time for the next season...

Find your innner woman 13: the Astronomer

It finally cleared up yesterday so we could go out with Dr. Lisle (our professor this week) and check out the night sky. As the sun dragged itself seemingly imperceptibly past the mountains, the sky deepened, the stars multiplied and crystallized as our night vision increased. I have to say, I was unbelievably excited to be studying the stars and such. My family will remember that phase of life when I was obsessed with stars and planets and constellations - begging for a telescope. Well, I never really lost that passion for this amazing part of God's creation. I mean seriously, the universe is out there, don't you want to know what it's like!?

We started out just looking at some stars which were rather unimpressive through the telescope, as it wasn't super crazy strong. Dr. Lisle pointed out a bunch of constellations, the north star, and the celestial equator. We watched Orion slowly set beneath the mountains and new constellations arise in the east. It was really magical, seeing the universe  revolve around us. We looked at some star clusters and even a spiral galaxy! People would randomly gasp and point out shooting stars. (Kaitlyn saw her very first one and actually squealed which was adorable. Poor Cannon missed every sighting.) Oh we also saw the international space station at around 9:30 and then at about 11 we saw it again! That's right - it orbits the earth at 17 000mph meaning it goes all the way around in 90 minutes!!!

My favourite part of the night was our last object - SATURN! It was the only planet out at the time and I could not have been more happy. I have been wanting to see Saturn through a telescope for a VERY long time. All night, I was anxiously waiting, keeping my eye on the glinting planet to the east. As it slowly rose, it reached its peak and we aimed the telescope in its direction. I didn't really know what to expect as I waited in line for my turn but what I saw was beyond what I could have imagined. It truly was beautiful: pale yellowish in colour, crisp rings surrounding, Titan and Rhea hovering nearby. It looked like a textbook image - so perfect. It was hard to realize the reality of what I was seeing and it was truly amazing. I can only imagine what it would have been like for those who first saw it through a telescope, having no idea what they were going to see. God is so amazing! The detail and care He puts into everything is unbelievable. When I look at the night sky, I see not only His unfathomable vastness and amazing power but also His creativity and His intelligence. Everything just works up there the way it is supposed to. I could just watch it all night long.

What a great God we have!

He said, she said, they said...whatever

The age of the earth - a hotly debated subject, perhaps so much so that the main issue has been overlooked and forgotten. Did you know that many Christians believe the earth is millions of years old?It is no wonder since the church has neglected to speak about this issue, leaving indoctrination open to the secular world of educators. Even many Christian institutions teach millions of years and even evolution. They do not understand (or perhaps they do) that this directly contradicts Scripture. What do you believe? Have you ever thought about the issue? Do you realize the significance of your view of the origin of the planet?

The secular world of uniformitarian thinkers has so influenced Christians and the church today that most don't even think about the conflicts of Scripture. But as Answers in Genesis and Ken Ham so strongly emphasize, the Bible is clear as to the age of the earth and creation not evolution was the process by which everything came into being. A literal reading of Genesis describes creation in six, 24-hour days, not separated or stretched out by millions of years. Further, the account of the Biblical flood is clearly global and destroyed the planet, reforming into what we see today. By reinterpreting these accounts to mean something different, we are undermining the authority, inerrancy and infallibility of God's word. Doing this to the first book of the inspired work of God destroys the rest of His words as well including those of the hope of salvation.

Without a literal Adam, created perfect, and the original sin, bringing with it the effects of death, suffering and degradation of the universe, the redemptive story of the rest of Scripture doesn't make sense. By incorporating millions of years of death and decay into the Bible, we are redefining God and rejecting His very words. What are you believing? You can't ignore this issue. You must take a stand. Will you believe the fallible ideas of man simply because the majority says it is "science"? Or will you believe the perfect word of the God who created it all, was there from before time and will one day provide all the answers? Don't try to make excuses. There are only two starting points: God's word or man's word. Which will you choose?

Seeing more clearly

I fear I may have forgotten how to write in my long absence...so do forgive me if this post comes out rather awkwardly. As to the last two weeks I spent on the road on our geology trip, I hesitate to really into the details as it could take awhile. It is hard summing up something that impacted me in so many ways and to describe all the amazing things I saw. I will try to be brief, for I can't just ignore the whole trip - there is too much importance in it.

We traveled from Jackson through Colorado, Utah and into Arizona to the Grand Canyon and then back up stopping at various places along the way (Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Bryce Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, and Zion National Park to name a few). We were studying the geology of the Grand Staircase and fossil evidences given to us all over the region with the bias of Biblical glasses. Indeed, I am not ashamed to admit we all had out Biblical glasses securely fixed to our eyes as we viewed various landscapes. As Christians, it would be foolish to look at the world around us without the influence of the Bible. (As I have been learning in this week's class with Ken Ham, we can't throw away our "starting point" - God's word, or we are left with only the starting point of the secular world - millions of years and evolution - EVERYONE has a bias). What we saw through these glasses amazed us and strengthened our faith and convictions and encouraged us to stand ever more securely on the authority of the Bible.

We saw landscapes like the Grand Canyon which were carved by water - large amounts of water! We saw layers and layers of sediments at places like Colorado National Monument and Canyonlands that could NOT have been put down slowly (no sign of erosion, spread over such huge regions etc). We saw things like desert varnish on canyon walls, caused by manganese in the sandstone - manganese that cannot be accounted for by the trace elements in the atmosphere but more probably came from volcanism on the sea floor during the flood and mixed with the mud which turned into the stone we see today. We saw "cave art" depicting mammoths and dinosaurs proving that mankind actually saw and lived with these creatures. I could go on and on.

Mammoth drawing

Colorado National Monument

Throughout the trip, our professor continually impressed upon us the importance to STAND FIRM on the Bible. No matter what "science" comes up with today to explain things or discredit Christianity, we can have assurance in God's word. As Ken Ham has pointed out in his class - God is the only one that knows everything, so when we debate about origins or the flood of Noah's day or dinosaurs etc, by standing firm on the Bible, even if we can't answer all the questions, we have assurance that God is the ultimate authority on it all anyways so we don't need to back down. God can answer and will answer it all in time and those who have rejected Him, WILL know the truth and submit.

I will put some more pictures on the photos page if you are interested in seeing some more.