Quality Thoughts

"Good quality thoughts happen when God is near"

I am going to dive right into that statement and what that means to me, but first, look at these verses ; 

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or perceived or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practise. And the God of peace will be with you." {Phillipians 4:8-9}

On Sunday morning, this verse hit me hard after I heard our pastor's insight into it. 

When you think about these things (all that is listed above) and put into practise what God has commanded in His word, then He will be with us. He is the God of peace, and He will be with us. We will have peace when we think about these things and follow His teachings. 

I guess our pastor didn't really give insight per-say, but more so reworded the verse into simpler terms. I have read this verse 100 times and I only ever looked at the list of things to think about - whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. I had never truly looked or understood the second part of the passage that says to not only think about these things, but also put into practise His teachings (what we have learned and perceived or seen in Him). Then when we do both of those things, the God of peace will be with us. Meaning, we will have peace regardless of our situations or circumstances, when we are like-minded with Christ and when we act Christ-like. 

Now from experience I can tell you that as a Christian who has a relationship with God, if I am not investing into that relationship daily, then I will not be thinking about true, noble or pure things. I also know that I won't be behaving like Christ or obeying His teachings. When I am far from God, neglecting my devotions and not setting time aside in my day to spend in prayer, people notice. I become no longer a 'peaceful' person. My negative attitude shows, my thoughts change to become more mean or impure, and I lack confidence and trust in who I am. When I am far from the God of peace, I am not thinking about praiseworthy and excellent things, nor am I apt to be putting His teachings into practise - and this is not good! However, when I do draw near to Him and make the time to spend in His word and His presence, everything changes. Good quality thoughts happen when He is near. Keep Him near. 

So, as I am journeying through this life and learning as I go, God is still teaching and moulding me. Yes, I have been a Christian for 'my whole life', but that doesn't mean I am any greater or any better than anyone. I fail everyday and I struggle just like the rest of the world. However, I have so much hope in God and faith that He will see my efforts to correct myself when I realize I am far from Him, and He will draw near the second I call His name. Same goes for you! He hears you and He sees you.

I know there are some of you out there who may notice a difference in your own thoughts or attitudes also when you realize you are far from God and neglecting that time with Him. Maybe a friend of yours called you out or a family member gently asked you if you have been doing your devotions lately. Don't take offence to those comments and concerns from your fellow brothers & sisters in Christ. But instead be so thankful that God forgives and He understands that life happens. All He wants is to see the effort and He will reward you for that. 

Be blessed my friends! When you put God first and make time with Him a priority, I hope you are ready for anything, 
In omnia paratus 

The End of Another Summer Unlike Any Other

Hey friends! 

I want to start blogging more often and more frequently just about things that are on my heart or what God prompts me to write about. So, since summer is coming to and end and I officially start classes in about a week, I wanted to write about the most amazing summer that I had. 

This summer was unlike any other. I was offered a position as a mother's helper/nanny for a family whom I had never met previously to being offered the job. I met the mother, Juliet, when she was 8 & 1/2 months pregnant and had a 1 & 1/2 year old boy named James. She was looking for help because she was going to have a newborn with a less than 2 year old running around - plus her husband works all day! But this was SO for me. I love babies and kids and doing motherly/wifey things like changing diapers, cleaning a house, doing dishes, going for walks, running errands, etc. My job started less than one week after her second baby was born, Lucas.           

          
         

                    

Over the summer I watched James grow (seriously, he grew taller than any other 1 year old I know) and I watched Lucas grow from a little lump to a very happy, giggly baby! We got to go on adventures like to Ripley's Aquarium, the Toronto Zoo & many splash pads and water parks. 

Ripley's Aquarium

The Toronto Zoo

Petticoat Creek

                           

Not only did I fall in love with this family and those two boys, but I became even more sure that I want to one day be a mom and a wifey. I also learned that I really love to help others and serve those in need of some help. 

This summer I also got the chance to go to Wonderland and see some of my favourite artists perform at Wonderjam 2015, I babysat for many different families, I volunteered at a soup kitchen with my best friend and celebrated Canada day with her too, I got to spend time with friends and do fun things with my family (including visiting family I hadn't seen in over 10 years who live 4 hours away), I became a mother to five plant babies (!!!), I turned 20 and had a wonderful birthday weekend with friends, I got to house sit/pet sit for a family friend, I FINISHED ALL 10 SEASONS OF FRIENDS, and I had the privilege of donating blood for the third time!  I was so so blessed by God who gave me this wonderful summer full of memories, joy, laughter and full hearts. 

          

I just babysat for these three handsome boys! I sure did miss them!

Visiting family! 

Canada Day 2015

My plant babies! (missing my bamboo)

Birthday pictures - Starbucks sipface - Classic #Jarbbadventures

These ladies took me out somewhere special for my birthday! 

My bff Jaslin got me this absolutely wonderful key - from http://www.thegivingkeys.com/

And all these people came out to dinner with me to celebrate being 20!

My lovely, gorgeous fam at church on my birthday!

House sitting/Pet sitting - this is Trooper!

"You watched all 10 seasons in less than four weeks?"
"UH HUH!"

Donating blood! 

On a more serious note, this summer (well just two weeks ago) we found out that my mom's kidneys had dropped to 16%. We have been able to prolong this subtle decline in her kidney function through healthy eating (by not eating anything containing potassium - which is terrible for the kidneys) and through controlling her blood sugar levels as a diabetic. However, even with doing everything right, her kidneys are still declining. I wrote a post last year (the first post on this blog) about how there was a new urgency for me to eat healthy and take care of myself as well because the process for seeing if I am able to donate to my mom would start soon. That process did not start until now. Now since her kidney levels are so low, they are truly beginning the year-long process we both need to undergo to see if we are a match.

I one hundred percent want to donate my kidney to my mother. But, the outcome of this situation remains only in God's hands. He has the control, He knows what our outcome will be. I just pray that He will show His grace and allow my body to be healthy enough and a perfect match for my momma, so she won't have to endure the pain and discomfort of dialysis. 

Overall this summer was full of love, adventures and memories that will last forever! I can't wait to start my third year of university next week and embark on a new journey. 

With God, I am ready for anything! 
In omnia paratus 

Ps. Donating blood is an amazing thing that I believe everyone should do - if you are healthy with no blood disorders or diseases, you should donate blood. My dad's treatment is made out of hemoglobin, which comes from blood. Without healthy people donating, people that are sick and need treatment or people who are in need of a blood transfusion, go without. You could save a life! And how AMAZING is it that God created us with a heart that pumps blood and regenerates blood continuously. We have that gift inside of us to give away! How wonderful! Please consider donating if you're able to - you could seriously save a life.
Go to https://www.blood.ca/ to book an appointment :) 

Wild Things

There is a song by Andy Mineo that speaks to my heart and captured my ears the first time I ever heard it. The song has an incredible beat, but if you're not from this generation or into this kind of music, upon your first listen you may be turned off. I listen to the album Heroes for Sale by Andy Mineo while I drive in the car. Sometimes, my mom will get in the passenger seat while I drive and I get control of the music. I have played this song so many times, and each time she is annoyed with it and does not want to listen to 'that kind of music'. Another time I had left the song playing when I turned the car off and when my dad got in the next time we went to drive somewhere, his words were along the lines of 'what is this? we don't need to listen to this kind of music'. It's so funny how we miss so many things in life by simply just not giving them a chance or judging them before ever really knowing. This goes for so many things; people, music, new food, the list goes on. We judge before we ever give the person, the song, the new sandwich, a chance. 

But yesterday, my mom got in the car to drive to work after I had been using it the night before. I left this album playing and so when she got in, the song Wild Things was playing. This is the same song that both my mom & my dad did not ever want to give a chance, simply because they did not like the sound of it at first. However, yesterday my mom listened to the song in it's entirety. And she cried. This song moved her to tears and this is why. 

Jesus's mission on earth was to live among us until the time came where He would make the ultimate sacrifice that would wipe us of all our past sins and future sins, forever. But while He was here, He healed people, He spent time with the outcasts, the losers, the loners, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, all those who were considered unimportant or those who society had stopped either caring about, hated or outcasted. He brought life & hope to everyone. Jesus spent time with the people whom religious leaders did not want to associate themselves with. He went out of His way to speak to them, purposefully. His said Himself that 'It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick' (Luke 5:31). This means that He did not come for those who had it all together and who abided by the rules and lived 'perfect' lives. But rather, He came for those who did not have it all together, the sinners. And the Pharisees were not okay with that. They were rattled that Jesus hung out with sinners and associated Himself with them. But how Jesus lived His life on Earth is how we are called to live ours. We aren't called to live our lives high and mighty, believing we are better then others and not caring about those less fortunate or the outward sinners. We are called to love, to serve, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone, including those who Christians wouldn't 'normally' associate themselves with. And that is what the song Wild Things is all about.

So the next time you're in the car with someone or someone sends you a song to listen to, give it a chance. Sometimes, God can really speak to us and use artists from genres other then 'worship/gospel/Christian'. The song Wild Things is about the call that we have on our lives as Christians. We have to go out into the 'wild' where the sinners are, and live our lives. The dark and Godless places, need us to shine our light. Often we won't even have a chance to say a word about Jesus, but how much louder do actions speak then words? You can be a light anywhere you go, and you can share the message of Jesus without using words. This song inspires me and should inspire all of us to be the ones to go out of our way to love the lost, the sinners. And we should also not be rattled when we do see Christians doing just that, walking like Jesus with the 'lions, tigers and bears' in the 'wild'. Let Jesus shine through you and don't be afraid, because as Andy puts it 'Who shall I fear when God is walking with me, If I die that's a win, that's the seed of the church plus I get to be with Him'. 

So go and be where the wild things are! & be ready for anything. 

In omnia paratus 

W I L D  T H I N G S by Andy Mineo 
                        {listen here}

{hook}
I wanna go where the wild things are 
I wanna go where the wild things are 
I wanna go where the wild things are 
I'm talking lions, tigers, bears (oh my)
I'm talking lions, tigers, bears (oh my)
I'm talking lions, tigers, bears (oh my)

{verse 1}
Welcome to the church in the wild 
I live with dudes haven't been to church in a while 
I've chosen this lifestyle, you ever met my friends?
Porn stars, dope dealers, they like, 'why you chill with them?'
I thought you was a Christian? Yeah I'm on that team 
But I'm with them cause my life's the only bible that they've ever seen 
Some wanna be an earshot from the church bell 
I wanna win souls, make gunshots in the worst hell 
Tellin 'em Christ became a curse for they sin with my words and my works 
They won't come in? I'm bringing church to them 
Yeah, that's why I live where I live
They say, 'you acting cray, that ain't no place to raise your kids'
But um, if we ain't living it who else gon' show em 
What a family supposed to look like instead of them broken homes 
Gotta be living stones where they getting stoned 
Live and know Him, die to make Him known 'til He take us home, 
let's go

{hook}

{verse 2}
If you catch me in a bar where the wild things are 
With my pastor and an entourage who loves God
Please don't think that it's odd, we kick it 'round broken hearts 
Fishing for men, surrounded by sin but ain't taking part 
I talk about Jesus, all the Christians love me 
I walk like Jesus now they wanna judge me, ain't it funny?
I'm ducking stones thrown from the Pharisees
Gospel of Peace up on my feet like a pair of cleats 
Walking with the Paraclete, that's Greek for The Spirit 
They say the wild things'll eat you up 
Who shall I fear when God is walking with me 
If I die that's a win, that's the seed of the church plus I get to be with Him 
And we so undefeated like Hanes made our sneakers 
I had beef with Jesus then my sin it got deleted 
So I gotta go and speak it to those who really need it 
Let the Gospel off the leash, go and be where the beasts at 

{hook}