And Know.

Be still... and know that I am God.
Be still... and know that I am.
Be still... and know that I.
Be still... and know that.
Be still... and know.
Be still... and ... be still.
Be still.
Be still.
Be.

"Just because you're present doesn't mean that you're here."

...Yes, Jon Foreman. I am aware of that. I will be present, in Melbourne, on the same street as you. Next door, even. But I still won't be there. You'll have your 'here', over there. And I'll be stuck in my own 'here' over here. All because of twelve days difference. Sucks a little bit.
So that's my plan for tomorrow's evening.
The following evening will be a Friday night spent at IGNITEyouth, dressed as Pebbles from the Flinstones. We're having a P Party.
The following morning will hopefully be spent in bed, asleep. That Saturday afternoon will consist of an engagement party, and the evening may also hold some sort of a double 18th birthday party for two friends.
This has been a social-based update, brought to you by a very sleepy student, pretending to be studious, while not actually studying. Thank you, and Goodnight.

"When all those shadows almost killed your light..."

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now.
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound."

For me, this song reminds me a lot of Black Saturday. It could almost be someone singing about what they felt and saw as they were surrounded by the fire. I can picture these lyrics as words spoken to someone who knew there would be no escaping the fire. They are words of comfort. But matched with this video, it really does resemble an incident of being trapped in a fire like the ones on Black Saturday.
This is the best I've heard Taylor Swift be, but that's my own irrelevant opinion. In this video, she could almost be a ghost, walking around the forest where the fire had been and taken away her life.
Or something. Too creepy? That's just what I see! I'm creepy. That's fine.
But I love this song anyway, even while it reminds me of such a dark day.
Music can be pretty visual sometimes. I just thought I'd share the thought.

Everyone is forgiven now.

And you ask me what I want this year, and I try to make this kind and clear.
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days.
'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings, or designer love and empty things.
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days.

So take these words, and sing out loud, 'cause everyone is forgiven now.
And tonight's the night the world begins again.

And it's someplace simple where we could live, and something only you can give.
And that's faith, and trust, and peace, while we're alive.
And the one poor child who saved this world, and there's 10 million more who probably could,
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them.

I wish everyone was loved tonight, and somehow stop this endless fight.
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days.
So take these words, and sing out loud, 'cause everyone is forgiven now.
And tonight's the night the world begins again.

'Cause this time, it's forever.

Part of me wants to love you.
Part of me knows I can't.
A part of me is trying, but part of me isn't there.
I don't want to hurt you, but I know I will.
A part of me wonders if you'll love me still.

Part of me runs to you.
A part of me falls behind.
A part of me tries to turn back at the finish line.
No, I don't want to fail you, but I know I will.
A part of me wonders why you love me still.

'Cause this time, it's forever.
I know more than ever that i got it right.
And sweet dreams tell me nothing.
I need hope in something.
And I found it right here with you.

Part of me wants to follow.
A part of me is letting go.
A part of me is still hiding.
A part of me you don't know.
No, I don't want to give up, I just know I will.

A part of me wonders how you love me still.
'Cause I know what it takes to love me still...

Out Loud.

"You are the light of the world. a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:14-16)


Our lives as followers of Christ are lives to be lived out loud. We should not be silent. We should be speaking out in truth and in love, instead of quietly standing by.
Here I stand, watching a world search desperately for a reason why. We have the answer they are looking for! Yet we simply keep our mouths shut and... do nothing?
In a world locked in a cage of confusion, we hold the key to understanding. Yet we seem to believe withholding the key to their own heart's freedom is us doing our bit to be 'polite'. Is there a problem here?
And suddenly we become nervous when thinking of telling others about the love of Christ. Suddenly we feel 'embarrassed', maybe even 'ashamed'. We wonder what people will think. All these self-conscious thoughts are going through our minds, while the world is suffocating in a deathbed of lies. Are we really going to do nothing about this?
The eternal love of God is far more important than your insecurities.
I will not be silent. Let us live our lives for Jesus Christ, loud and clear.

The original purpose of Valentine's Day?

Happy pre-Valentine's Day. I used to dislike this well-celebrated day, once upon a time. Purely because I assumed it was what everybody thought it was - a day based on self-appointed, shallow desires of the human kind to love and to be loved, that stem from the yearning of a Love that is much greater than just ourselves. It may be how many are accustomed to celebrating February 14, but finding a 'date' to hook up with on this festive evening is not the original purpose behind the day.

"St. Valentine was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught aiding and marrying young Christian couples who were under persecution by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. It is said that Claudius took a liking to this prisoner, and understandably so. After all, Valentinus was attributed with healing a prison guard’s blind daughter. However Valentinus made one fatal mistake. He tried to convert the Emperor and as a consequence on February 14, 269 CE he was sentenced to death, beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him he was then beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Valentinus was later made the patron Saint of love, young people and happy marriages.

St. Valentine is mostly remembered for his willingness to help those who were being persecuted – the outcast, marginalised and disadvantaged. He was known for his commitment to serve those with need. He was known for his willingness to live for the sake of others, even at the cost of his own life. Indeed his desire to see young love set free in marriage when the present authorities would not recognise their union was in itself an act of love. His willingness to share his faith in Christ with the Emperor, who ended up ordering his death, was motivated by love. And his willingness to do these things, knowing it could cost him his life, demonstrates love in the highest order."

This particular day being celebrated annually across the world began because of a man whose passion in life was to share the love of God with those around him. In present times, all I hear about is who is being who's Valentine, and who is single and alone on February 14. Sure, relationships between one another are to be celebrated, certainly. But to be miserable over your single status on one particular date far more than any other date, purely because of its celebrated title, is seen in my eyes as pretty well pointless.
Also, the love originally celebrated on this day, was selfless, life-giving, and everlasting.

This Valentine's Day, I'm not looking for some male figure to spoil me with chocolate and flowers. I'm not looking for some dinner date and a hand-in-hand stroll under the starry sky. As much as I like the taste of chocolate, the smell of flowers, stargazing and, well, food in general, I don't want Valentines Day, a day in memory of a martyr who sacrificed his life for the name of Jesus, to be about me. I don't want to be given; I want to be giving.
I think Jesus said it pretty well- "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
His commandment is this: "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." (John 15:12&13)

So my personal aim for Valentine's Day tomorrow is about showing those around me that I love them and appreciate them greatly. And first and foremost, I want to remember the greatest Love that anyone could ever know; the love of Jesus Christ.