Internationally Known

3 Rules for going back to school:
1) Don't miss your orientation... I'm absolutely telling you if you miss this...then that's it... you've basically failed.. it's true! (O.K. Maybe not all that true, i seemed to fair well)
2) Wear your new "cool" outfit! Like really you gotta be HIP to go to school, so make sure you're wearing something new! (and make it blatantly obvious like a high school student that this exactly what you're doing lol)
3) Enjoy the day before school starts because after that day you have officially entered the danger zone of tests, assignments, stress, long lectures, and early mornings... let the crying begin on day 1...

Ok, so i'm obviously being a little silly with the above comments... It's hard to believe that four months has already past since the last college semester.. But this is an odd time of year for me because unlike the past four years, I am NOT returning to school for the fall. And to tell you the truth, i'm for the most part pretty happy and content with that... I must admit that I will miss meeting new people and the whole first couple weeks of school hype, but beyond that i'm just going to enjoy no tests, assignments and deadlines for academics for a while. It is a very different feeling though... and to tell you the honest truth, i think i've done more studying and reading since i've been out of school then when i was in school..
I find it kind of odd.. Maybe it's because i now get to choose what to read or study.. Or maybe it's just that my human nature reacts differently towards studying..What do i mean you ask??? Well, in school for the most part i enjoyed a lot of my studying and assignments, but there's just something about HAVING to do something with a deadline in tact, than just doing it because you want to... Am i making sense? Learning is taking on a different meaning for me.. It's no longer so much to pass tests and get good marks, but it's so that i am better educated in this life for daily living etc.. (I never had a problem memorizing a bunch of stuff and writing it out all out again.. i'd just forget most of it a week later)... Maybe that's the way i should have always looked at learning but i guess i didn't... and so i'm kind of enjoying education right now...it just costs less and is becoming very efficient... Books, magazines (Rolling Stone, Time), Newspapers, Television is all really good learning right now.. I do however miss the atmosphere of a classroom at times but more often than none, I find that i learn best with a book in front of me and a Starbucks coffee on the side.. Anyways for all who are going back to school, i TRULY hope you have an awesome year and enjoy your study's and making new friends etc... and mid terms that are now officially in 5 and a half weeks lol... ok that was a little uncalled for... but have fun, make the most of it and the money you pour into it... Don't let that side of us that's lazy and sluggish get the best of ya (I could... will... learn from this)...Later!

Well nothing is for sure anymore... Went to bed on Thrusday evening, seemed like a pretty normal evening and awoke...to my dismay to see that we have lost a planet in our Solar System. My first thought was, "Is this legal?" And who has the authority to make such decisions? But alas it is gone and Pluto remains only in our hearts and no longer with us!
I feel slightly ripped off and feel for those schools who are going to have to replace science textbooks by the thousands.. Let's do a little conspiracy theory here for a minute... Imagine the money this is going to bring in on sales alone.. All those portraits and pics of the universe seen on books, paintings, pictures, etc...now need to be replaced because one has left the fold. Pretty genius idea if it was for business eh?
This seems a little like the show Big Brother to me. Pluto must have ticked off all the people and been voted off... Why wasn't it given a chance to win a power-veto and stick around for a while longer? I'm totally joking, just want to have a little fun with this... Or is it possible that snakes have invaded Pluto and we no longer want any association with this planet... Snakes on Pluto in 2007???
Anyhow whatever the reasoning, this is my tribute to Pluto. You will be missed! You have been demoted apparently.

Pluto 1930- 2006 (R.I.P.)

So I was out for a walk today and there I am in plus 30ish weather, hot, with a nice bottle of water (that was getting warmer every five minutes in the heat), just me, my music in my ears and nature. As i was walking my eyes began to look at the grass and how nice it can look at times, yet how annoying it is as well. I don't usually pay much attention to grass... if you do then you got too much time on your hands lol... but today it was as if God was using his creation to teach me something. I seen in the grass no longer a weak substance that does no good, but i seen a strong warrior who never gives up and likes to fight a little...
If you're thinking about never ever reading my blog again and that i've had too much time on my hands i assure you i'll justify that statement in a minute... The nature of a true warrior is to never quit, to never give up and keep fighting, even when things look dim... life brings it's ups and downs, it's very easy to become discouraged and quit when you feel defeated, as if you've failed, when you feel as if so much has been thrown at you! Our human nature's natural impulse is to quit... yet we can learn a lesson from the grass here....
... The grass grows and gets longer... heat and water intensify this effect... Yet we go over it all the time, just when its growing and getting taller, bigger, greener and feeling pretty good about itself, out comes the dreaded lawnmower and cuts it all down... trimming it back to it's "small", "defeated" form... But even with all this opposition, the grass still seems to always grow back, and always getting greener, and even though we cut it down, tear it down, even if it gets covered with snow for 6 months... it still starts over again and grows back... it never fails.. the grass will not quit and is persistent... and will always keep growing because it knows nothing else... as long as it's root is still in place it keeps doing it's thing... the only way to stop this is by removing it completely...
Life has it's hard times and awesome times... victories and failures... but in the midst of all this, i'd love to become more like the grass and instead of whinning, quiting, or possibly going on strike ... I wanna keep growing and growing and longing to become better for the sake of the Lord... It's interesting what the grass can teach us when we let it... Summer's coming to a close soon and I feel that i need to get a little more golfing in before it ends... Sorry grass, you're not exempted from this...

Well, i've had the privilege of seeing this movie this evening and must say that it has caused me to think alot... some interesting thoughts, some silly thoughts and some straight out convicting lol... Let's start with the silly...
In this movie the main character (Anne Hathaway), For anyone who's seen the previews, she starts off as an ordinary girl and very not "in" fashion so to say. She goes to apply for a HUGE fashion magazine company and is laughed at, mocked, repulsed by, and ignored. I liked her character at the beginning of the movie... she was herself.. But then she gets hired and it's all downhill after that... she gets so insecure in herself and wants to IMPRESS that she asks a fellow worker for a make over and boy does she ever get one... he turns her into a "Beautiful" fashionable women... It even changes her attitude, mannerisms, and outlook on life... I wonder how often we are like this??? Does the way we dress and present ourselves influence how we will act and behave... Think about it? When i'm in a t-shirt and pants (jeans) casually, i feel more laid back and relaxed...casual we could say... but keep those clothes on and add a sportscoat and ipod to my look... and all of a sudden i got a new look and new ATTITUDE... c'mon has anyone ever felt like this from just changing your appearance a little??? When you wear a suit, or a nice dress for the girls, don't you feel a little different? Doesn't your attitude change?? Maybe even your mannerisms?? Be honest here lol...
Anyways that was one thought that struck me as truthful... how much of what we do and allow ourselves to be is influenced by how we present ourselves outwardly... In the Garden man and woman didn't originally wear clothes until they sinned and felt ashamed...along with this came covering up and appearances??? who knows...
Another thing that hit me during this movie is that lust for power, appreciation, praise from others and being noticed in general... Sometimes we have to be honest with ourselves and realize that we all sometimes want it... Even if we say we don't... there's that part of me that likes to be noticed and appreciated... For example: American idol... isn't that the reason that the show is so popular..it's what everyone loves to see,,, a nobody becoming a somebody (almost overnight)... In the movie this girl begins out innocent and just wants to be a good journalist but that lust for the power and to be seen overcomes her will and it leads her down the path to being fake, being what others have made her and not true to herself... How many times have we ever been guilty of this... maybe even in Church work (if i can just say that??)... You do something good maybe playing an instrument, singing, preaching, serving, etc... and you get the pat on the back and verbal praise from others and you so desperately want to keep it pure and God focused, but part of you likes it and likes to relish in it a little..??.. There is a way to accept compliments and encouragment in a godly way... and that's by being honest i've been finding out.. false humilty is just as prideful as arrogance. I guess it's all about going to God and thanking Him and always remembering it is Him who sustains you, who gives you breath, and works thru you... knowing that can be pretty humbling... Check out Numbers 12:3... I have one question for you after you've done that...who wrote the book of Numbers??? The scripture never lies and so this is a true statement, but how can a humble man say this about himself...i guess he's just being honest before God and others...and that makes his humility truthful...
Anyways this movie made me think, i appreciated watching it, had a good date with my girl Nicole... and we ended up meeting up with my buddy Mark and Lavonne... so the movie and Moxie's with them was great times... i'm off to bed now.. better put on my trendy sleep pants and lay out my "cool" pants and shirt for tomorrow....

"(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth)"
--- Numbers 12:3---

PS: Moses was the author of the Book of Numbers....

So as you all know I have had a very passionate relationship so to say recently with Starbucks. I always wondered why Starbucks was such a hit and when i was busy drinking Tim Hurton's or something like Second Best..oops i mean Second Cup... I always thought starbucks was the enemy and was all HYPE! But is it?...
... Recently i have quit drinking caffeinated coffee. Yes, alas, i have been off the juice for about 3-4 months now and i must admit i have never felt more full of energy, motivation and alive in a long while. Caffeine always used to build me up and then let me down... ( i think there's a song along that lines)...anyways...
... I still drink an average of 1-2 cups of starbucks Decaff Coffee per day. I still love going to Starbucks, even though asking for decaff coffee felt sick, wrong and humiliating for the first few weeks, there's something liberating about drinking a nice warm cup of java at a Starbucks location and engaging in good conversation or reading a good book! I no longer technically NEED to frequent Starbucks anymore because i'm technically off of REAL coffee, but i still feel the need to do so. Why is that? It's either one of two things... I'm either addicted to the establishment and habit, or that the place offers something that most places don't? I'm going to say that i still go there because it's casual, fun, warming, relaxing, therapeutic, spiritually beneficial, and educational! I find all these things at a local Starbucks and i only pay $1.96 for it. I'd say that's a good deal! You're probably wondering how i came to these conclusions, but i won't explain myself rather i challenge you to grab either your bible, a good book, a good friend, a casual friend, your ipod (which for me these days has become a must, man am i ever eating my past word's about ipod's lol) and go grab a nice warm beverage and hopefully find a sofa at your nearest starbucks and let me know about your experience! I tell ya sometimes it feels routine and casual but other times it feels helpful and much needed. Starbucks offers the customer an experience of a good overly priced beverage, a warm atmosphere and whatever you shall make of it...but it's not just the coffee that brings people in, or the caffeine...there's something more and i guess you'll have to find that for yourself...have fun!... comments????

Ok, so here we go rant #1 in a long while lol. I've been thinking alot lately about the safe and secure place that we as humans like to live in. The place that requires little risk to be taken and no consequence or trouble to face. For example, i used to look at school as a "safe" place to be. It kept me from having to work and was easy going knowing that i was preparing for the future and not yet living it. But the time has come that school has ended and instead of feeling unsafe i feel, well, the same, maybe even a little better. No more homework this year, not as much stress about tests, evening off for the most part, pastoring youth and working at a music store, sounds good to me.
The reason i'm writing this is because as of late i've come to see that the secure/safe place that we like to enjoy and live in by nature is non-existent. Rather everything that we do requires with it some risk, that feeling of uncertainty and possibility of failure or loss. Driving to work today involved risk, typing this blog while at work requires risk lol, going to college brings risk, entering ministry requires risk etc... You get the point! That safe/secure place that we try to find and live in is millions of miles away because we truly don't know what each day, moment or second will bring! I'm not trying to sound morbid here but i'm beginning to see that the Christian life shouldn't be lived in safety for there is none, but God is calling me to RISK for Him! When i was 18 i used to gamble alot and risk very often... a few months ago God challenged me to start risking for Him and quit trying to live in the safe place where you got life under wraps and figured out because that place is fictional and non-existent!
The early disciples didn't have a safe place in this walk known as Christianity. Many Christians even today in parts of world still face persecution, suffering and even death for their faith. I don't know why i'm ranting about this, i guess it's because i notice that i put limits on myself alot and it's often because stepping out is hard and feels unsafe, while remaining idle feels so safe/secure when in reality it's very dangerous! Dangerous to my faith and limits what can actually can be done for God! Anyhow those are some of my thoughts lately, defeating the myth of safety and security, our only safety/security is in Christ and walking in His perfect will! Finding that though can be very tough...at least to me it is...

"Then Moses said, "If you don't go with us personally, don't let us move a step from this place." - Exodus 33:15 (NLT)

Summer is FLYING by! I can hardly believe that July has passed. Where have you gone July? And why didn't you stop in to visit while you passed thru? Anyhow, enough babbling, i am currently sitting in my room in a rather good mood and feel like writing about our ministry trip to Cumberland House with LHPA. In attendance were me, Pastor John, Amanda H, The Chaboyers (Perry & Noreen), Kregg O, and Jim Christian. It was a great trip with a whole lot of unexpected's and twists and turns... but what is a ministry trip without those, like really eh?

Cumberland house is a metis community in northern Saskatchewan. For those who don't know, at Lawson we have an ongoing relationship with this community. Our youth group has been up 3 times and our church a couple and i totally enjoy the times we get to go. I want to start by saying that it's refreshing to see people who are hungry for God and this is what we see in Cumberand. Anyhow, the trip down was good. The roads however are always interesting. Picture a stretch of continuous dodging potholes and you get my drift. Upon arrival, we helped (or in my case) observed as the tent was being set up (we did ministry under a tent which was super cool). Following this i had words uttered to me that i thought i'd never hear, they came from an unlikely sourc in Pastor John... these words were found in the phrase, "So Jordan, you are going to be leading worship at this event?" Now anyone who knows me, knows how my hair on my neck stood straight up when hearing this. Thankfully, Amanda came to my rescue (and the rescue of all of Cumberland house had they had to hear me sing lol) and she led worship with Pastor John, me on guitar and Perry on drums. I tell ya in a million years and i woulda put good money on it, that i'd never see this combination as a worship band lol. The first night was painful lol. But come the 2nd night Amanda got really commited and led with guitar, moving me to my first love (totally kidding) the electric guitar and we started sounding better. It was a fun experience and i think Pastor John summed it up best to me on the way home by saying, "We definately won't be seen on tour anytime in the near future!"

The rest of our time there was occupied with a tour by the legend Perry Chaboyer, Fishing with a guide and all, rest and relaxation (being introduced to jello popsicles at this point, they're well worth the trip to Cumberland) and preparation for ministry. Jim Christian was the main speaker and we were challenged and encouraged by the word he brought forth. I got to do a Friday afternoon session with youth/young adults that went over well and also got to preach on Friday evening. That evening preaching was different and memorable for me because everything i prepared for to speak on before going to Cumberland House i scrapped as God gave me different direction and am now currently being challeneged or shall i say blasted by what i spoke on! God's awesome and am thankful in how He leads us and continues His work in us! I'm really being taught to be obedient and listening lately. We left to come back to Saskatoon on Saturday moring and i was a little sad to be leaving. I'm hoping i'll be back in Cumberland House soon enough though. Cumberland is so easy going, I immediately saw the difference when entering the city. In Cumberland our tent meetings were supposed to start at 8 but never really got on before 9. It's so different being laid back, instead of always rushing. It was Nice! I really felt refreshed in Cumberland as did the others. Meeting with Jesus is always awesome! The trip back flew. The road was farely terrible though as it had rained. Now i know why they told me my Sunfire was NOT coming with us.

Since then i've been reading a little, seen a movie, went to the Fringe Festival a couple of times where i caught some cool plays and magician types of presentations. If you're in Saskatoon i highly recommend that you go check out the FRinge on Broadway. This week looks busy. I gotta officially become a resident of Saskatchean and this entails license plates, license, health card etc... Moving can be such a pain eh? Oh ya and i bought an ipod shuffle yesterday. Everyone told me not to buy one, that it was too small and you could get other ones with more memory just as cheap and that it's no good becuz it doesn'thave a screen... so basically all that criticsm made me want to buy it even more, so i picked it up and am loving it. I went for an hour and a half walk today just to listen to music. The whole shuffle opiton is awesome becuz each song sounds refreshing and not tedious. So therefore i recommend this product to everyone. Besides that Apple product looks good on you lol. (there's my materialist comment of the blog) Anyways, i hope you're all doing well, i'm off to sleep, will comment more on this trip as thoughts come. Bless Y'all!