tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55014882024-03-07T01:53:07.116-07:00Unquenchable Songs and Endless Praisea million tongues poised to sing could still not convey the worth that Your name deservesNeelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comBlogger853125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-3198853550903173132010-12-10T16:04:00.002-07:002010-12-10T16:04:51.309-07:00Half a year afterI have to admit that this blog has definitely fallen by the wayside; however, I haven't minded the lapse too much. Life has been very good since the last time I wrote on here and I've been able to experience a lot of wonderful things! Along with a few trips out east, I travelled to the United Kingdom this summer and have had some great trips around my own province this summer and fall. Life in ministry has been ever-interesting and a constant journey of growth and adventure. Admittedly, this year has not been what I've expected but those are the most pleasant surprises, aren't they? Since I don't envision myself keeping this blog too updated, I'd like to wish anyone who randomly pops by here a merry Christmas filled with the joy and wonder of Christ's arrival!<br /><br /><I>"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."</I> - Isaiah 9:6Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-69690649230801732172010-06-04T20:38:00.004-06:002010-06-04T21:03:09.087-06:00A season laterGoodness, it's been quite a few months since I've posted on here; I think the commenting fiasco deterred me from writing anything until I figured it out (which I never did, as Andrew has pointed out to me). In any case, it seems like people can actually comment on Echo, so that's a strange and unexpected surprise.<br /><br />I just saw that my last post was from four months ago. One of the reasons I've been largely silent is that I didn't know for sure if I would continue to have employment after February. It was a stressful time in my life but God brought me through it and I am still employed. I have much to be grateful for but also a lot to still process and work through, which will likely take a while.<br /><br />Other than that, life has been ever-changing yet constant for me - I probably take these changes in stride and without much notice since my personality is pretty placid. I'm now involved in a ministry that I have avoided for eight years (ha! God has a good sense of humour) and it's been interesting. I'm also involved in the ministries of discipleship and hospitality at my church, both of which I've appreciated because they're such different activities than what I usually do.<br /><br />As for this summer, I hope to travel once more although I won't know for sure until later this month. Right now, the myriad of ministry events that are coming up are consuming my time (tomorrow is my first day off after working 12 days in a row - yay!). One of the saddest things about this past year so far is that I haven't picked up a book in so long - what a shock to my system! However, I will concede that I would prefer being out with people rather than being cooped up; I suppose I won't be able to do the 100 book challenge this year so it's a good thing I accomplished that when I had time to do so :)Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-78528885432862801652010-02-03T23:53:00.004-07:002010-02-04T00:19:40.838-07:00Comment confusionI'm none too pleased to read that <a href="http://www.haloscan.com/" target="_blank">Haloscan</a> is going defunct and is requiring its users to pay $12/year for its replacement commenting system, so it looks like I will lose 1087 archived comments (although I've exported my comments, it appears I've also lost everything from between 2003-2006). It's unfortunate that nothing at this point exists to allow for a transfer of comments between Echo and Blogger, so I suppose my archives are now glaringly incomplete. I could manually enter the comments from 2006-2009 back into Blogger but in the grand scheme of things in life, I don't want to make the time for that.<br /><br />As a result, I am immediately switching over to Blogger comments - which I should have done a few years ago when it was made available - and will remove Echo before the end of the month. In the very unlikely case that anyone will comment on here, please use the second commenting system instead. I'm sad that I'll lose this key part of interaction on my blog, especially one that has been with me for almost seven years but at least I'm hopeful that Blogger won't do the same thing to its users. The funny thing is that I've barely had internet access for the past month and just when I finally get it back, I have to receive news like this. Well, I suppose it is one way for me to write something on here! Another way of looking at it is that since I've already lost the comments from 2003-2006, losing the ones from 2006-2009 shouldn't be a big deal, right?Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-48925880679597255712010-01-03T16:27:00.007-07:002010-01-03T19:39:00.112-07:00UndefinableSo the first unnamed decade of the 2000s has passed and now we head into another one (would it be called the "10s" or the "2010s"?). I'm excited for what will come this year and a little nervous that I won't end up doing as much as I will want to. While I am forming a list of goals in my mind, I hesitate to voice them just yet as I don't want them to be mere resolutions that I'll quickly give up weeks into it.<br /><br />I also want to keep it a small list so that I won't feel too intimidated as the year goes by. Last year, I had too many goals and the only ones I followed through on were reading a hundred books and being in the Bible on a daily basis. I'm still doing the daily Bible reading plan but I've picked a less intensive one for 2010 which I think will give me a bit of time to do more in-depth Bible studies/reading. I think that is one thing that I wasn't able to accomplish last year; while I may have read the Bible everyday, I didn't take enough time to meditate on it. My hope is that this year, I'll still have my daily reading but that I'll also take the time to really dive into the Word.<br /><br />Another reason for my hesitation in making goals this year is that I have no idea what's ahead of me - personally and professionally. This year feels so undefinable whereas last year, I knew that it was the first year of guaranteed full-time work following seminary. I feel like I'm swimming in waters out of my depth... exhilarating at first but worrisome now. However, I know I <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:25-34&version=NIV" target="_blank">shouldn't worry about tomorrow</a> so perhaps this will be my first step in 2010 :)Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-49628167297635137472009-12-31T16:46:00.009-07:002009-12-31T17:59:32.461-07:00Seven questionsInspired by this <a href="http://michaelhyatt.com/2009/12/seven-questions-to-ask-about-last-year.html" target="_blank">series of reflective questions</a> on Michael Hyatt's blog, here are some of my responses to what life in 2009 has looked like for me:<br /><br />1. <B>If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be?</B><br />Honestly, I don't know the answer to this (not a good start!) but I'd perhaps say one of those long-drawn out British miniseries where things move slowly and the conclusion is yet to come (for me, anyway).<br /><br />2. <B>What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring?</B><br />Everyday obedience; jumping into the unknown; simple pleasures.<br /><br />3. <B>What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of?</B><br />Leading an adult mission team; surviving life post-grad; reading the Bible on a daily basis; meeting my reading goal.<br /><br />4. <B>What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren't?</B><br />I don't feel that I should be acknowledged for this but I will admit that it was very challenging to fill in for my coworkers this year while handling my growing job responsibilities - that's not an experience I'd like to repeat this year (so far as it is possible, and if it must occur I would prefer that I'm not filling in for multiple people at the same time again).<br /><br />5. <B>What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year? Where did you let yourself down? Where did you let others down?</B><br />I'm disappointed that I wasn't more disciplined with my exercise regimen. Another letdown for myself was having high expectations for certain things that were unrealistic. I probably let others down by my indecision and indirectness.<br /><br />6. <B>What was missing from last year as you look back?</B><br />More time with friends. More time resting in the promises of God instead of fretting. More risks. On a more positive note, I didn't have any skipped Bible-reading days which really made a difference throughout the year.<br /><br />7. <B>What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year?</B><br />Learning how to love God and others through small daily gestures - a challenge on most days I'll admit but wonderfully freeing at the same time. Rather than being worried about the big things, I've been focusing on how I can be faithful in the little things. Realizing that the sum of how I spend my days is what constitutes my life.<br /><br />And now for 2010 - I pray it will continue to be a year where we can discover anew the goodness and faithfulness of God!Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-33630064689010538222009-12-18T12:01:00.003-07:002009-12-19T12:34:54.806-07:00Christmas vacationAlthough I'm a fan of occasional white Christmases, I'm finding that this is too much snow for my liking. I don't think I've ever spent Christmas away from home but the temptation to leave this winter weather is increasing by the day. I'm still praying about where and when exactly I can go (if I can, for that matter) but it'll be wonderful to escape winter driving and having my car tires spin in the mounds of snow that have been building up. Even if I don't get to go somewhere, the nice thing is that I can stay at home and avoid going out. The irony though is that the weather is probably warming up just about now, so I probably had to go to work when it was at its worst. At least I'm off of work for now! :)<br /><br /><I>Update</I>: Hurrah - I'll be able to spend Christmas away from the snow now :) Last-minute trips are always such a fun rush!Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-32322473644033843922009-12-17T10:40:00.005-07:002009-12-17T23:29:09.956-07:00Book reportIt's taken three years but I can now happily report that I've met <a href="http://ardententhusiast.blogspot.com/2008/12/reading-record.html" target="_blank">my goal</a> of reading 100 books in a year, and have surpassed it as well! I'm going to continue recording the titles that I've read although I'm not sure if I'll subject myself to the same pressure of needing to read a certain number of books for next year. Overall, it's been a fun journey and it's been neat to see what my reading habits look like. This past year, I've read:<br /><br />- 35 fiction books and 69 non-fiction books<br />- 67 Christian books and 37 non-Christian books<br />- 11 books on missions, 10 books related to work (with some overlap in missions as well), 12 books on theology/Christian living, and 5 books on leadership/ministry<br />- Lots of others on topics such as books (!), household management, organization, simplicity, frugality, fashion, finances, Canadian culture and interior design - an eclectic mix of things that have caught my eye at the public library<br /><br />I'm excited to dive into a bunch of other titles that I've been saving for this book challenge, with the added bonus that I can go through them at a more leisurely pace now. If I could list a few of my favourites from this year, they would be:<br /><br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Apothecarys-Daughter-Julie-Klassen/dp/0764204807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261117145&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Apothecary's Daughter</a> - Julie Klassen<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Discipline-Spiritual-Discernment-MacArthur-John/dp/1581349092/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073368&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment</a> - Tim Challies<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/GOOD-NEWS-ABOUT-INJUSTICE-Haugen/dp/0830837108/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073499&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Good News about Injustice</a>: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World - Gary A. Haugen<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Invitation-Lead-Guidance-Emerging-American/dp/083082393X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261074111&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Invitation to Lead</a>: Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders - Paul Tokunaga<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Lady-Milkweed-Manor-Julie-Klassen/dp/0764204793/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073442&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Lady of Milkweed Manor</a> - Julie Klassen<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Leading-Empty-Refilling-Renewing-Passion/dp/0764203509/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073626&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Leading on Empty</a>: Refilling Your Tank and Renewing Your Passion - Wayne Cordeiro<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/MISSIONARY-CALL-Find-Place-World/dp/0802450288/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073331&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Missionary Call</a>: Find Your Place in God's Plan for the World - M. David Sills<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Persuasion-Jane-Austen/dp/0486295559/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073836&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Persuasion</a> - Jane Austen<br />- <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/WHY-WERE-NOT-EMERGENT-Should/dp/0802458343/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261073290&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Why We're Not Emergent</a> (By Two Guys Who Should Be) - Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck<br /><br />I've noticed a shift in the type of books I currently read compared to the ones I went through in college and seminary, the most noticeable being that I have gravitated toward more practical books. While I still enjoy books on theology and Christian thinking, I'm starting to take up books on Christian living. Next year's list might reflect this as well; now to get started on that!Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-57931145140360087242009-10-19T19:36:00.004-06:002009-10-19T20:38:11.469-06:00DisappearancesSilly me - I haven't checked this blog for months and lo and behold, my images have disappeared. I'm sad to say that it took me a bit of time to retrieve them too as I didn't save any of them to my computer in the first place. Oh well, lesson learnt; my blog looked far worse when I first started out (<a href="http://www.archive.org/web/web.php" target="_blank">Wayback Machine</a> can be a scary tool - I definitely cringe when I see how messed up my HTML was in the beginning!) so I'm not too concerned about a few missing pictures now.<br /><br />In a way, I've disappeared as well. I've started journaling once again in real life and that has been one of the reasons for my absence, among others (which I don't need to elaborate on but includes the following: dial-up internet, a geriatric computer, and a crazy ministry life).<br /><br />Not much has changed over the past several months since I've returned from my missions trip. I'm still very much enjoying ministry and putting out interesting fires here and there. The majority of my closest friends have either moved overseas or elsewhere so I've been a hermit this past year. I took a leap of faith this fall by getting involved in two ministries at my church that are new to me but I'm recognizing that my busy ministry activities are keeping me from doing too much and that I may need to cut back a little bit. One of my commitments ends in a few weeks so that will be nice!<br /><br />I'm also anxiously looking forward to my holidays and although I've succumbed to the "staycation" trend as a result of finances, I know it will be so refreshing to slow down and take a break. I've been overworked for the past month and have gone two-three weeks without a day off, which I know is a warning sign to stop something somewhere. Thankfully, by November, this insane pattern will stop and life will return to normal.*<br /><br />Thus concludes my brief post in which I assure my non-existent readers that I am alive and well :) I'm content in where I am at and I look forward to a full but not overwhelming schedule. Plus, it looks to be a warmish winter which always sits well with me!<br /><br />* What is normal when you're in ministry? I know, rhetorical question.Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-69945324041506939872009-07-21T13:15:00.004-06:002009-07-21T13:21:36.053-06:00Post-travel assessmentHello: open spaces, sunshine, towels that actually dry, clean clothes, and family<br /><br />Goodbye: mold, daddy long-legs, living out of my luggage, delicious food, and really good friends<br /><br />I'm home again!Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-71488724462921566792009-06-08T19:48:00.004-06:002009-06-08T21:41:35.606-06:00SpooksOver the past several weeks, I have been immersing myself in the world of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/spooks/" target="_blank">Spooks</a>, and am currently on season four. Since I don't have BBC Canada and PBS airs the show too late for me to catch it, I've been watching the DVDs instead (which I can't complain about since the extra features are great!). I'm really enjoying this show but I notice that whenever I watch too many episodes in a row, my dreams are often bizarre and typically feature me running away or escaping from people; thus, I'm limiting my intake a little now so that I don't wake up feeling exhausted.<br /><br />It's also starting to affect my thinking, which I wasn't aware of until I attended a conference last week where the speaker started talking about a file that the government has on him; my first reaction was "of course they do!" while a few others expressed surprise. I suppose we don't really hear much of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Security_Intelligence_Service" target="_blank">CSIS</a> here but I wonder what a Canadian version of Spooks would look like! Another sign that I've been watching too much Spooks: thinking that one of my pastors looked remarkably similar to Adam Carter and almost getting them confused with each other.<br /><br />I'm glad I heard about this show a few years ago as I'm now hooked, although I first had to get past seeing some of the main characters as Jane Austen's heroes in television/movie adaptations (Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy; Peter Firth as Henry Tilney; Rupert Penry-Jones as Captain Wentworth) - this will probably be the case when I see Richard Armitage (albeit an Elizabeth Gaskell hero) in season seven as well. So far, the most hilarious character has been Jools Siviter (hey, he was in Sense & Sensibility; I'm sensing a theme here) but that only lasted for two episodes. Other than that, the storyline I'm most enjoying is the one between Adam and Fiona Carter - episode 3.10 was such a moving portrayal of a strong marriage, which isn't often seen on TV nowadays. The only frustrating thing about the show is that there is such a heavy turnover of actors/actresses that favourite characters don't always last that long!<br /><br />Anyways, this show has been one of the reasons why I don't post very often so I thought I'd mention a little something about it :)Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-69681636699378189442009-05-31T15:27:00.001-06:002009-05-31T15:27:00.538-06:00Bites and vowsFinally, it's starting to feel like spring/summer! Unfortunately, this is usually precipitated by the worst mosquito bite imaginable each year, which often leaves a part of my body hugely swollen, in pain and at times, immovable. So that's what I experienced yesterday when I was chatting with someone in the parking lot for all of five minutes; it's officially the beginning of mosquito attack weather for me now.<br /><br />Another sign that the seasons are changing is the appearance of weddings. I'll be heading to one in a couple of days and another one in August, so that'll nicely round out my summer. I'm finding that most of friends are married now so that's been helpful on my pocketbook... until they have baby showers, that is :)<br /><br />And this has been a constant for me for the past four years but I'll be heading back to Quebec again this summer. I'm not sure how much longer this will continue but I appreciate the opportunity to go again. It'll be for a much shorter period this time around which means I can spend the summer at home and get around to the list I made <a href="http://ardententhusiast.blogspot.com/2008/05/wishing-and-hoping.html" target="_blank">last year</a>!Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-43455982098095274232009-05-30T14:32:00.003-06:002009-05-30T14:49:34.402-06:00Canadian evangelicalsI heard about this documentary at work the day after it aired, so I'm hoping they'll rebroadcast it soon. <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/documentary-probes-canadian-evangelism/article1147082/" target="_blank">Revealed: Hip 2B Holy</a> takes a look at Canadian evangelicalism, so that should be interesting to see how the media portrays it. In one of the <a href="http://www.canada.com/news/Holy/1613284/story.html" target="_blank">articles</a> I came across on Tuesday, I found it funny to read that "there's nobody from western, rural Canada in this documentary", which probably means that there isn't anybody/anything from western, urban Canada either. While it'll be good to see how this movement is being reported on in Ontario, I'm wondering if there will be differences between evangelicalism in the East and in the West (primarily Alberta, since that's my context). I'm excited to finally see something like this hit the air, although it would have been great if I had it for my thesis last year :)Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-56215930251868014892009-04-10T11:50:00.001-06:002009-04-10T11:50:01.034-06:00Around the sphereA couple of fun things that have popped up in my feed reader:<br /><br />- These <a href="http://simplystated.realsimple.com/simplystated/2009/03/pocket-posh-puz.html" target="_blank">little books</a> are not only pretty but also look to be fun and brain-stimulating.<br />- <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/5100713/Romola-Garai-to-play-Emma-in-BBCs-latest-Jane-Austen-adaptation.html" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a> lists some of the lead actors that have been cast for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1366312/" target="_blank">Emma 2009</a>! So now I'll have a third Emma to add to my collection... (HT: <a href="http://www.austenblog.com/2009/04/04/romola-garai-jonny-lee-miller-and-michael-gambon-in-cast-of-emma-2009/" target="_blank">AustenBlog</a>)<br />- Ooh, this is a great idea for <a href="http://unclutterer.com/2009/03/26/diy-charging-station/" target="_blank">charging cell phones</a>! It's definitely a way to avoid having to purchase yet another gadget and you can recycle/reuse at the same time :)<br />- I don't edit videos anymore, but <a href="http://unclutterer.com/2009/03/20/workspace-of-the-week-video-editing-palace/" target="_blank">wow</a>.<br />- And yet another handy tip from Unclutterer: <a href="http://unclutterer.com/2009/03/19/repurpose-brag-books-for-coupons/" target="_blank">coupon organizers</a>.<br />- An interesting definition of <a href="http://wordoftheday.reclaimingthemind.org/blogs/2009/04/03/seeker-sensitive-churches/" target="_blank">seeker-sensitive churches</a> - I'd like to think my church is maybe more seeker-friendly than seeker-driven. I think the word 'seeker' just looks funny now.<br />- I still don't know what to <a href="http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1153" target="_blank">call my professors</a> when I see some of them from time to time; glad I'm not the only one.<br />- A great April Fool's Day joke from the folks at Boundless, ahem <a href="http://boundful.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Boundful</a>... or should it have been Bountiful?<br />- <a href="http://artofmanliness.com/2009/03/26/every-man-should-carry-a-handkerchief/" target="_blank">Hilarious/great</a>. I didn't know such a site existed (nor should I, I suppose).Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-48973595650930290522009-04-09T21:35:00.000-06:002009-04-09T21:35:00.858-06:00Found in translationMy French has deteriorated so much since I've left Quebec that I've been reduced to using online translators when I want to quickly write something on Facebook without having to think about verb conjugation and whether something is feminine/masculine. I know, how sad. However, I'm finding that <a href="http://babelfish.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">Babelfish</a> (formerly of Altavista, now Yahoo!) is getting increasingly impossible to use because it doesn't seem to recognize apostrophes! How silly is that?! As a result, I've finally made the switch over to <a href="http://translate.google.com/?hl=en" target="_blank">Google Translate</a> but the only thing is that I can't find an official Firefox add-on for it...Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-36080684510230017342009-04-08T17:24:00.000-06:002009-04-08T17:24:01.300-06:00Goal trackingSo here is an update on some of the goals that I've posted on here:<br /><br /><I>Fasting from unnecessary television</I>: Most days are good; some aren't. When I was horribly sick a few weeks ago, I spent way too much time watching TV. I've also fudged a bit when it comes to what's "necessary" - I've included news and movies (which technically aren't on TV, ahem) in this category so I'm still pretty glued to the set. On the other hand, when I was sick, I probably spent half of that time watching British movies as well, so that was worth it :)<br /><I>Guarding my tongue at work</I>: I still need lots of prayer for this. Some days, I just have to bite my tongue. Unfortunately, I am encountering more and more situations by the day where I really need to heed <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203&version=31" target="_blank">James 3</a>.<br /><I>Bible reading plan</I>: Hooray, three months and I've been able to read the Bible everyday without missing a day so far!<br /><I>Health stuff</I>: I'm getting worse with the exercise but doing better with the food.<br /><I>100 books a year challenge</I>: I am over a quarter of the way there but I'm slipping behind again.<br /><I>Getting outside of the church/Christian bubble</I>: I don't remember if this is something I've mentioned on here but it's been on my mind for a long time. I can say that being at home is definitely being outside of the bubble but I do want to get engaged with the community somehow.Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-33292651425818986422009-04-06T20:58:00.005-06:002009-04-06T20:58:01.168-06:00Technologically unadvancedCompared to most people I know, I must be one of the least technologically-savvy 20-somethings out there. For instance:<br /><br />1. I have happily had dial-up internet for the past decade.<br />2. I refuse to get a new cell phone that has more functions than calling people, receiving calls, and getting the occasional text message from someone who doesn't expect me to write back. I have no plans to give my almost five year-old phone up but in case I absolutely have to, I don't see where I can get a basic phone that's not a Blackberry, iPhone, etc.<br />3. I jumped on the Facebook bandwagon back when it just opened up to the public since my school wasn't one of the registered colleges that could access it beforehand. The academic feel appealed to me (remember when you could list your college courses on there, pre-app?) but now, I'm losing interest with it.<br />4. I refuse to get a Twitter account. Isn't that what blogging is for?<br />5. I still don't want or need an iPod.<br />6. I ended up receiving some sort of new technology gift in the mail but it's something that is so unnecessary and practically ridiculous yet I'll probably use it just so I don't feel like I'm letting it collect dust - even though it will. Why do people invent these things?!<br />7. I'm tempted to get a GPS system because I get lost going everywhere but I'm still content with writing directions down in my notebook, although I'm a bit behind on it right now.<br />8. The last time I ever chatted online was in my third year of college. I don't miss it at all.<br />9. I <I>just</I> learnt how to program my VCR three months ago.<br /><br />There are probably other things out there that brand me as one who is a bit tech-backwards but this is a start. I have to laugh at the fact that one of my dear mentors who is in her 70s is way more advanced than I am in that she has a Mac, a Blackberry and she texts her friends (none of which I have/do myself). Someone mentioned that it's ironic that I used to be in tech ministry and yet I don't subscribe to any of the latest gadgets. Personally, I like having a minimalistic approach to all of this gear; if I don't need it, then I don't want to have to worry about it. I'll use it if someone else owns it but that's about it. I guess I'm not doing my part as a millennial in this generation..?Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-20067268256212380542009-04-05T19:07:00.000-06:002009-04-05T19:07:01.395-06:00WantedA Christian ministry book for church workers that doesn't talk about leadership, vision, success, and management. I'm not criticizing these topics - they're all valid - but I am looking for something different. Something biblical and practical.<br /><br />And if it's for women, great. Just as long as there isn't a picture of a successful-looking woman with her arms crossed (or something) and a big lipsticked grin on the cover, I'm happy. Trees are good. Actually, this last criteria might make it too narrow that such a book probably doesn't exist. I know, I'm being pretty picky but I would be thrilled with any good suggestions.Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-18951465642244496762009-04-04T14:50:00.000-06:002009-04-04T14:50:00.988-06:00Rewriting thoughtsI've been spending the past couple of days rereading my graduate thesis from last year. Surprisingly, what brought this on was work and how people other than my advisor actually want to read what I wrote (really?). As a result, I've been going through it to see whether it's coherent and I'm discovering that there are places where I can definitely go back and rework it. The problem is the lack of motivation; do I really want to take the effort to open up this beast again? I am cringing in some sections where I can see that I failed to communicate my ideas as clearly as I could have but am thankful that it doesn't appear <I>too</I> badly. However, I'm only partway through so maybe the worst is to come. I'm not completely proud of this particular thesis (I spent almost a month editing my undergraduate thesis whereas I spent an afternoon on this one) so I should go back and fix it but I don't picture myself having time to do so. One of my friends felt the same way after she submitted her thesis and by the time she started working, I don't know that she did go back to it. Perhaps this can serve as a warning to myself in the future; in the event that people ever do ask about my thesis and want to have a copy, make sure it's something I'm not embarrassed about. Easier said than done :)Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-15737912416153119742009-04-02T22:07:00.003-06:002009-04-02T22:15:17.746-06:00Morning radioI think I can safely predict that the local Christian radio station will play at least one of these three songs every morning:<br /><br />"The Motions" by Matthew West<br />"Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster<br />"As It Is In Heaven" by Matt Maher<br /><br />At least that's the way it has appeared over the past few weeks.Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-88165551250239527892009-03-12T18:40:00.000-06:002009-03-12T18:40:00.097-06:00A time to refrainIt's amusing that even the local news is talking about how people have given up social networking sites for Lent. I decided not to do that this year because I barely use it as it is and I'm constantly behind on catching up on messages, posts, etc. The worst is wishing people a happy birthday because it's awkward to do it a week in advance (which is probably how often I use the site) so I end up giving practically everyone a belated birthday wish instead. I guess the good news is that I'm not addicted :)<br /><br />This year, I'm fasting from unnecessary television for forty days. To be honest, I don't tend to remember what I fast from or add to my Lenten season each year except for the first year I started practising Lent and the third or fourth year. That first year, I gave up pop, chocolate, and candy (why I picked three, I'm not sure - it is a good spiritual number though!). It's not that I love any of these things (except maybe dark chocolate) but I'm glad I fasted from them as I now don't drink pop at all and rarely eat candy. The other year was when I fasted from chips and that was much more difficult but again, it left me with the same result of not craving it as often or at all.<br /><br />Now I'm hoping that curbing my television watching will help me to keep from turning to it automatically when I get home from work even after Easter. I can't recall if I've ever added anything to my life during Lent but some of my friends have done things like reading additional Bible chapters/verses each day. I think I'd like to find a book where you read a bit everyday for forty days and it's supposed to result in something - I'm not sure what topic I'd go for but I have a year to procrastinate on it!Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-74043198478311855212009-03-11T21:55:00.004-06:002009-03-11T22:31:29.169-06:00Seasoned with graceI'm afraid I haven't had much to say lately as my life primarily consists of work and attempts to get as much sleep as possible so as not to be a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/458745.stm" target="_blank">danger on the roads</a> (and a few things in between - mostly chores and some reading). It's interesting that when I was in school, I thought that was one of the most boring things I could write about but now that I'm working full-time, updates about work aren't that exciting either. Or it could just be that I'm the common denominator and I need to figure out how to make my posts more lively :)<br /><br />Lately, one of the issues that I've been dealing with is how to respond to Christians whose words have been quite 'grace-less' toward me. Frankly, I'm shocked that I've had to encounter this on a number of occasions now and it's disheartening to know that I'm getting verbally attacked in Christian ministry from fellow believers. While I shouldn't be surprised that Christians are imperfect people and therefore sinners, I guess I'm dismayed by how some of the difficulties I've encountered involve those whom I expect more from.<br /><br />The funny thing is that about two weeks ago, I started praying that I would be able to communicate with love and grace in my own speech everyday - something that I desperately need because I work with lots of different people on a daily basis and because I seem to be so skilled at foot-in-mouth-itis. Now with each new day, it feels like I'm really being put to the challenge because I keep having conversations that, were it not for God, would leave me bawling (I certainly wasn't asking for <I>that</I>, Lord!). As a result, I'm definitely learning how powerful words can be and how even among Christians, we need to guard what we say and to make sure that we're not cutting others down. Umm, thanks for the reminder, Jesus? What a week it's been for me and it's not even Friday!<br /><br /><I>"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."</I> - <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=58&chapter=4&version=31&context=chapter" target="_blank">Colossians 4:6</a>Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-64248781897081294912009-02-22T16:18:00.006-07:002009-02-22T17:09:40.608-07:00Un mélange des chosesIn light of the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-02-04-facebook-25random_N.htm" target="_blank">25 things craze</a> that is hitting Facebook, here's a much-shorter list about what's been happening in my life lately:<br /><br />1. I celebrated Valentine's Day this year by going to a wedding at a funeral home. I'm not sure if/how I'll beat that in the future.<br />2. I finally had my first taste of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devonshire_cream" target="_blank">Devonshire cream</a> over a week ago and naturally fell in love with it. Good thing I can't make it myself or I'd be eating it all the time.<br />3. I just discovered that my Myers-Briggs has changed from being an ENFP to an ISFJ. Again, I don't take that much stock in these things but that's quite a drastic shift.<br />4. "With the economy the way it is", I am finding incredible clothing sales - which is great as I keep putting off having to buy work clothes.<br />5. The same follows with sales on books, although I've cleared over fifty titles from my bookshelves and am not that eager yet to fill them again.<br />6. Another good thing is that airfare has gone down; I just purchased tickets for a round trip at the cost of what I would have paid around three or four years ago!<br />7. I'm developing an aversion to eating out, and with the number of <a href="http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/health-inspections/index.jsp" target="_blank">health inspection scares</a> that are escalating, I'm glad I'll be mostly eating at home.<br />8. Wow, I'm one of the <a href="http://www.boundlessline.org/2009/02/uninsured-young-adults-diagnose-themselves.html" target="_blank">uninsured young adults</a> this article speaks of, although my reason has to do with once again, "the economy" and its impact on my workplace.<br />9. I'm wondering if my constant and unexplainable fatigue can be attributed to a sleeping disorder. See above point about self-diagnosis :)<br />10. The one-year Bible reading plan I'm on is driving me nuts as it seems to jump from place to place without much reason or rhyme; I'll have to use a different plan next year.Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-42204677771112323562009-02-06T15:16:00.003-07:002009-02-06T15:54:33.207-07:00Health goalsIn an ideal world, I would love to:<br />- Get at least eight hours of sleep every night<br />- Exercise for half an hour everyday<br />- Eat more fruits and veggies<br />- Drink more water<br />(pretty basic, huh?)<br /><br />I'm sloooowly getting there. The water thing is pretty convenient since I'm near a water cooler at work and since I have a sore throat nearly everyday now (not sure why). I'm also starting to have an aversion to eating out, which my stomach and wallet are grateful for. Sleep is still something that throws me for a loop; no matter how much sleep I get, I'm typically plain tuckered out by late afternoon. I've heard that if you exercise first thing in the morning, it keeps your metabolism up for the day and then you have more energy. Well, I've been exercising after dinner just to keep from falling asleep so I'm not sure if I should change that considering I'm like a zombie when I get up as well.<br /><br />I <I>think</I> I'm healthier now than I was a few years ago in college when I mostly ate out and pulled all-nighters. If that's the case though, why are my eyes constantly droopy like I'm going to fall asleep at any moment? Sometimes when I'm running errands in the evenings, I worry that I look like the "Sleepy" dwarf and/or that I'll do what Rowan Atkinson did in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250687/" target="_blank">Rat Race</a> (that is, fall asleep while standing in a public place - was he in an airport when he did that? I don't remember...).Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-7737957558157655612009-02-03T17:16:00.002-07:002009-02-03T17:36:52.264-07:00Brain fatigueNow I understand why people like to zone out in front of the television when they get home from work....Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5501488.post-72973570028161078632009-01-26T11:18:00.002-07:002009-01-26T11:43:56.956-07:00To celebrate or not toSo apparently, it's Chinese New Year. And it's something I've hesitated about taking part in during the past decade. When I was younger, I went along with it and participated in some celebratory activities but I was never much enthused about it. Then, when I became a Christian, I pretty much ignored the holiday and still do to this day. It's not so much that I think there's something wrong with recognizing such an event but that I've never really had a reason to take it that seriously. I've tried hard to distance myself from any form of Chinese mythology and superstition, and especially the religious beliefs and practices that are contrary to my biblical faith, but that leaves me wondering what is left that I can celebrate. And if I want to be totally consistent with this, can I in full knowledge accept things like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_envelope" target="_blank">red envelopes</a>?<br /><br />Having never been to a Chinese church or spent much time with other Chinese people, especially Chinese Christians, I struggle with knowing how to embrace parts of my culture and how to refrain from other aspects. One of my coworkers is Chinese and she mentioned that even though her family is Christian, she always believed that her children should take part in things like Chinese New Year because they are a visible minority and will inevitably be asked about these things. I think it's a good reason but not strong enough to convince me that I <I>need</I> to be celebrating this holiday. At the same time, I don't want to act as though I'm shunning everything that is related to Chinese culture. It's ironic that I wrote a thesis (partly) on how Christ has come to redeem culture and yet I have the most difficult time knowing where to even start with the Chinese culture.Neelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094784727791515400noreply@blogger.com