Easter Blessings

Easter has been interesting this year. I came to the realization last night that I take advantage of my family in so many ways. To be able to sit down and have a meal full of laughter and love was one thing that struck me like a hammer. Then later that evening I noticed something I had brushed off for so long. When I bring the guitar upstairs, sometimes my little brother brings his up and kinda jams while I'm playing stuff. Once or twice we have tried to play together, but yesterday there was a real connection, he played rythm and I played some lead and sang. It's funny, maybe I'm just slower than everyone else who has siblings, but after many years of trying to avoid him, or simply using him for bits of fun here and there, this last year I have really started to appreciate and respect his uniqueness in Christ, and his developing skills. I have a feeling he will be a preacher some day, and that rocks the socks. I love you Caleb!

In other news the Lord has been showing me amazing things concerning trent university. There is a real peace in my heart about nominations for TCF's executive for next year, and I am super excited about being a part of it.

I've been listening to Caedmon's Call's new CD: Share the Well, which has been a blessing, specifically three songs: 'the innocent's corner, the roses, and there's only one (holy one).

There's only one, who never fails to beckon the morning light
There's only one, who sets loose the gales and ties the trees down tight
When all around my soul gives way, he is all my hope and stay
There's only one, only one Holy One

Finally, I've been encouraged lately by two of my friends, and the story I see the Lord weaving through each of them. Keep strong girls!

Dry

I was going to blog something gutsy, but I decided not to. Blogging just for the sake of posting is not good, and can get you into trouble down the road. So i'll hold my peace. Something is brewing though, soon I hope.

Warder al'Ander

God is showing me how good he is through his word, but I'd like some patience. Training to be a Warder is tough work, but I'm on the way. Keep soaking in the word.

-al'Ander

It's New It's Exciting, hurry while supplies last!

Folks I've finally done it. After years of cognitive ability strained towards imagining amazing things, inventing games or martial art disciplines (which I mainly used to test on my little brother) I have finally come up with an invention worthy of renown!... well sorta.

It's Sprapple, the famed new drink, brought to you by TradeMark industries and manufactured at mild-mannered Todd's house. This unique blend of rich apple flavour and tangy sprite zip is sure to be loved by the whole family. The key to this marvelous drink is not in the ingredients themselves, but the genius way in which you combine them. There is a limited supply of Sprapple to be had, so hurry down to Herman Street today!

*those drinking Sprapple may be subjected to hours of uncontrollable energy which may result in weak knees, sweaty palms, and or loss of hair. Please contact your doctor and ask if Sprapple is right for you*

Anticipation

Its been an interesting couple of days. Greek exam didn't go too well, but it is so freakin hard. Ask Ben Inglis about greek, mention the word 'participle' and you will get the basic reaction I'm trying to convey, except that he does it better than me. In other news, stuff for the trip is coming along smoothly, I need to send my money today and figure out a few minor things, but beyond that the Lord is really setting things in place. Please pray for me, not only because I'm a mess who is going to a crazy country I know little about, but also because I am really looking for direction for the future, and a lot of that depends on this trip. God is faithful, and I am confident He will show me what I'm to do. Finally I have to say a little word about the song entitled 'Laden with Guilt' in Caedmon Calls album: 'In the Company of Angels: A Call to Worship'. It is written by Isaac Watts and Sandra MaCracken, and I think its a beautiful song. Actually I think I will go play it now!

This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown.
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl His own.

Godspeed,
todd

The War of the Mind

Life is war of the mind. A battle to fight a rotten, greedy, bitter nature whose overall desire is to exalt itself, by whatever means. It fights with ever increasing vigor, a formidable opponent who attacks only weak points, even feigns death for a time to gain an edge. I am becoming more and more convinced that there is no possible way I could, of myself, fight against this nature. This is simply due to the fact that before Christ there was no other nature in me from which to wage war with. And i am even more convinced of the fact that I have no power of my own, in my new nature, with which to wage war against the old. For time and time again I have seen the struggle in thought, and have determined whole-heartedly that I would not participate in sin. And be it minutes or hours, I succumb to the sin, and wonder where I have gone wrong. Only by constantly renewing the mind with the word, and praying, asking the Lord for the strength to fight temptations, can anyone be victorious in this war. Friends, I urge you to take stock of the past, the times where you have failed miserably, knowing you have offended the most Holy God, and resolve to fight the war as it was intended to be fought: With God's word.

-Read 'Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life' by Don Whitney, and Tozer's 'Knowledge of the Holy.'
-For an understanding of the war of the mind read John Bunyan's Holy War (so far its dynamite!)

todd

Happy March Day!

Well folks its here. March day. Jen Affleck invented it as we were climbing off the bus early this morning, and I am taking up the notion like a battle cry from some long dead war. It started when I commented that it was March now, but it didn't feel like it, though I never remember March 'feeling like it'. (I suppose I am sad spring is not here yet) She perked up and said, 'Ya its like March Day or something. Isn't there some sort of holiday for the first day of March?' We batted around some ideas, and shrugged our shoulders till I decided I would just call it March Day. Tell your friends, do a dance, write, jump, sing, but remember it is March Day.
While I am on, as it seems to the untrained eye, a useless rant about March, I might as well designate the official Calvin and Hobbes comic for March Day. hmmm. let me see. Aha, I have found it! I will just give you the URL because I can't be bothered to figure out how to upload pictures to my blog.

http://hem.passagen.se/rust29/images/HOBBE/CH_DANCE.GIF

On a closing, completely unrelated note: if you get the chance, read John Bunyan's Holy War. So far it is very insightful, and a good vocabulary builder. That man had a good grasp on salvation.

Happy March Day one and all!